A Mother’s Fight Against Breast Cancer: Gina Sabella-LaRocca’s Journey of Strength, Family, and Survival
Gina Sabella-LaRocca, a 46-year-old mother from Marin County, California, grew up surrounded by love, laughter, and a “huge crazy Italian family.” But she also grew up surrounded by something else — cancer.
Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, fast-growing tumors… it all ran deep in the family.
So when Gina was diagnosed in 2009, she wasn’t surprised — but she wasn’t ready, either.
⭐ A Family History That Couldn’t Be Ignored
Cancer was never a taboo topic in Gina’s home — it was part of everyday conversation.
Her paternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40s. Eleven of her grandmother’s twelve siblings were also diagnosed with various forms of cancer. Several relatives dealt with ovarian cancer as well.
In such a family environment, Gina and her siblings often discussed what they would do if cancer ever arrived at their doorstep.
They even made a pact:
👉 If any one of them got cancer, they’d fight as hard as possible to beat it.
⭐ Early Screenings Lead to a Life-Saving Discovery
Because of her family history, Gina began annual mammograms at age 30. For fourteen years, everything was normal — until one appointment changed everything.
In December 2009, when she was 44, her radiologist spotted something unusual.
After follow-up tests, the diagnosis was confirmed:
Breast cancer — and a very aggressive form known as triple-negative breast cancer.
It was a shock, despite years of mentally preparing for the possibility. Gina immediately met with UCSF’s Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program to undergo BRCA testing. Thankfully, the results came back negative, giving her one less thing to worry about.
⭐ Surgery, Chemotherapy, and Tough Choices
The whirlwind began quickly.
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February 2010: Gina had a sentinel lymph node biopsy — fortunately, the cancer hadn’t spread.
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Weeks later: She started chemotherapy to fight the aggressive tumor.
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After treatment: She underwent a double mastectomy — a decision rooted in decades of fear, family history, and long “what-if” conversations.
The reconstruction process took time and multiple surgeries:
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Skin-sparing double mastectomy with expanders
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Implant replacement later that year
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A corrective procedure the following year
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And in 2012, ovarian removal due to hormonal issues and family risk
By the end, Gina had undergone seven surgeries.
She joked that menopause hit her like a freight train — but every step was worth the peace of mind.
⭐ Care, Compassion, and Support at UCSF
Gina split her care between UCSF Marin and UCSF San Francisco, and both teams worked seamlessly together.
She especially appreciated:
✔ The detailed explanations from her surgeon, Dr. Cheryl Ewing
✔ The follow-up calls from nurses after appointments
✔ The feeling that she always had someone to talk to — even after she left the doctor’s office
“It’s those small things that make such a big difference,” she said.
⭐ A Mother’s Hope for the Next Generation
Gina’s biggest concern now is her three daughters, ages 13, 16, and 18. None have been genetically tested yet. For now, she encourages them to:
✨ Stay healthy
✨ Stay informed
✨ Avoid stressing too early about something they can’t control yet
Her extended family includes cousins who tested positive for the BRCA gene and are planning preventive mastectomies after having children. It’s a future possibility her daughters may face too — but Gina believes in taking things one step at a time.
⭐ Choosing Life — and Feeling Grateful
Today, Gina is cancer-free, active, and grateful for every moment with her family.
She looks back at her decisions — the surgeries, the treatments, the lifestyle changes — with zero regrets.
“I feel lucky,” she says. “Things could have been so much worse. And I’m here. I’m alive and well today. Yeah!”
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