Mollie McClymont undergoes surgery to reduce breast cancer risk after sister’s diagnosis

Aussie country music star has chosen to undergo a double mastectomy after genetic testing revealed she shares sister’s breast cancer gene.

Country music star Mollie McClymont has shared her brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy after discovering she carries the same gene that caused her sister Sam’s aggressive breast cancer.

In a social media post to her fans on Friday, the 37-year-old mother of three said she chose to have the surgery “without hesitation” when testing revealed she carries the BRCA2 gene, which gave her a 70 per cent chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

Mollie is a member of beloved country trio the McClymonts with her siblings Brooke and Sam, who have won 15 Golden Guitars and two ARIA awards over the past two decades.

Mollie McClymont, Brooke McClymont and Sam McClymont are one of Australia’s most successful country groups. Picture: Adam Yip

“A few months ago, just like my sister Sam, I found out I carry the BRCA2 gene, giving me a 70 per cent chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer,” she said.

“Without hesitation, I made the decision to have a double mastectomy, I didn’t want to walk the same path my sister has this past year.”

Sam has candidly shared the trials of her triple-negative breast cancer journey with fans after beginning treatment early last year, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries over 12 months.

In 2013, actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie revealed she underwent a preventive double mastectomy and surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes after discovering she carried the high-risk BRCA1 gene.

Mollie (left) discovered she carries the same BRCA2 gene as sister Sam (right). Picture: Supplied.

Mollie paid tribute to her sister Sam’s courage and the “amazing gift” she had given her with the discovery of the gene in the family line.

“She truly is the most incredible human who has been through so much and has given me the most amazing gift to find out I had the gene before it went any further and I’ll be forever grateful,” she said.

The country star shared how she was also grateful for the support of her husband Aaron Blackburn and extended family, who were helping to care for their three children, son Ned and daughters Elky and Winter, as she recovers in hospital from the operation.

“To my incredible husband who has been by my side every second, to my in-laws for having our kids while we are away and to my kids who I am missing like crazy, although FaceTiming them does make it easier… I’ll be home before you know it,” she said.

“So here is to a happy and healthy future!”

In an exclusive interview with Stellar for Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October, musician and Getaway host Sam said before starting chemotherapy a year ago, she underwent genetic testing.

Her grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, and her father, Peter, was treated for prostate cancer a decade ago. He died in 2022.

“I wasn’t really shocked,” Sam said when the tests revealed she carried the BRCA2 gene.

“It made sense. Now that genetic testing is available for all my cousins, aunties and uncles, my sisters… I’m glad that I did it, especially for my two sisters. It’s a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the gene if your parents have it, and now they can get on top of it.”