Breast Cancer Survivor & Comedian Wanda Sykes ‘Suffered’ Through a Spoonful of Black-Eyed Peas In Hopes It Will Bring Luck in 2021

In an Instagram video posted just after New Year’s, Sykes, 56, is seen resurrecting her childhood tradition of making black-eyed peas for good luck in 2021.

"When I was a little kid, my mom, grandma, everyone always tried to get to eat a spoonful of black-eyed peas on New Year's. I hated them. I said, when I get older, I said I was never going to eat them again, and I haven't. But after going through 2020, not only am I going to eat some, I actually made a pot."

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Sykes has always been a hilarious presence across dozens of television programs and comedy specials, but she’s dealt with serious issues too: in 2011, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.

But cancer never slowed her down, and now, she’s looking forward to a hopefully brighter future.

"Here's to a blessed 2021. Blessings upon blessings upon blessings. Good health, lot of love, and all that."

Family History & Breast Cancer

Wanda previously told People, “I have a history of breast cancer in my family, so I was going to do whatever it took to reduce my chances of getting an invasive cancer. ”

Women like Wanda with a family history of breast cancer are more likely to contract the disease themselves: as many as 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. Certain gene mutations, like BRCA1 or BRCA2, can be inherited and increase your likelihood of developing breast cancer.

Related: Do You Know Your Risk Factors for Breast Cancer, asks Brave Advocate Shannon Doherty: Age & Family History Matter

Knowing your family history with breast cancer is crucial to developing a plan to detect and treat the disease should it develop.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Genetic Testing

To know whether your genes put you at an increased risk of breast cancer, experts recommend women go through genetic testing to detect mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA1. While genetic screening might not help people without a family history of breast cancer, it can be lifesaving for those with a history to see if they are at higher risk.

"The real question of who is going to qualify for genetic testing is, to be honest, a moving target," Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, Director of NYU Langone’s High-Risk Cancer Program, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "Nowadays, you can even self-refer and ask for testing. We encourage only those who have a family history to really get that kind of service if you need it."

Understanding your unique genes could help you and your doctor understand your risk for breast cancer and help inform the best screening and treatment plan for you.

Should I Get Genetic Testing to Assess My Risk for Breast Cancer?

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