In Her Words: Kristina Coccoluto
In this powerful In Her Words, we meet Kristina Coccoluto — a patient advocate, marathoner and mom of three whose journey redefines what it means to take control of your future. After learning she carried the BRCA1 mutation at just 25, Kristina made bold, life-altering decisions to outpace cancer before it could find her. Through resilience, advocacy and commitment to living fully, she has transformed fear into action and survival into purpose — both in life and on the racecourse.
Recently completing all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York) as the first woman to do so after a double mastectomy, Kristina proves that "fear will not make my decisions for me." Read on for her deeply personal story of strength, community and choosing to live boldly — every single day.
Name: Kristina Coccoluto
Age:39
Location: Boston, MA
Current Health Status: BRCA1 Previvor, Melanoma Survivor
———
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm Kristina Coccoluto—a patient advocate, marathoner, and storyteller passionate about empowering women through resilience and community. As a busy mom of three, life is always moving, but I thrive on adventure—whether it's traveling, exploring new places, or soaking in time by the ocean. Coffee fuels my days, and I find joy in gardening, watching Audrey Hepburn movies, and having soul-fueling conversations. I'm also a dog lover who believes in embracing life fully, facing challenges head-on, and creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered.
When were you diagnosed with the BRCA mutation?
At 20, I was diagnosed with melanoma, and at 25, I learned I carried the BRCA1 mutation. Four days after my 30th birthday, I made the life-altering decision to have a double mastectomy, and at 36, I underwent a complete hysterectomy. Cancer has deeply shaped my family's story—I'm the daughter of a two-time breast cancer survivor and the niece of a woman we lost to the disease. But I’ve also rewritten our narrative—I’m the first person in my family to outpace cancer, turning fear into action and survival into purpose.
What were your first thoughts when you were diagnosed?
It was a complete shock. I had a mole removed simply because I didn’t like the way it looked—I had no suspicion that it could be cancerous. So when I got the call that it was melanoma, it felt surreal. It was one of those moments where time kind of stops, and you realize how quickly life can change.
With BRCA1, I almost expected it—I knew the odds, given my mom’s and my aunt’s experiences with breast cancer. But even though I wasn’t surprised, it was still devastating. Knowing you have a high risk of cancer isn’t just a statistic—it’s something you have to mentally and emotionally process. It’s about making life-altering decisions to protect your future, which is heavy.
At first, I was afraid of what so many people fear—the possibility of dying too young. Losing my aunt to breast cancer made that fear very real. But as I sat with it, I realized that what truly scared me wasn’t death—it was the idea of not truly living. I didn’t want to live in fear, constantly waiting for cancer to come for me. Instead, I wanted to take control and live boldly, out loud, on my own terms. That’s why I chose to have a double mastectomy at 30 and a complete hysterectomy at 36. Those weren’t easy decisions, but they gave me my life back. I felt freedom and I don’t take that kind of privilege for granted.
How did your friends and family take the news?
I actually didn’t talk about it much with friends or family. It felt like a downer, and in my family, we didn’t really talk about our cancer risk. The previous generation faced cancer silently, almost stoically. That was the culture—they just dealt with it. So I hesitated to bring up my fears because I wasn’t sure how they’d be received.
Hereditary cancer is complex—it’s not just about the diagnosis, it’s about living with risk, making huge medical decisions, and often feeling like no one truly understands. It can be lonely, and there’s a lot of negativity around it. But times change. I realized that staying silent wasn’t helping me or anyone else. That’s why I’m so passionate about speaking out now—because no one should have to go through this feeling alone.
What led you to take a proactive approach to your health, and how did you decide on your course of action?
Unlike traditional cancer treatment, my journey has been focused on prevention. After being diagnosed with the BRCA1 mutation at 25, I knew my lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer was significantly higher than the average woman’s. Given my family history—my mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and my aunt passed away from the disease—I didn’t want to wait for cancer to find me.
At 30, just four days after my birthday, I had a double mastectomy. It was a massive decision, but I knew it was the best choice for my future. Six years later, at 36, I underwent a complete hysterectomy to eliminate my risk of ovarian cancer. These surgeries weren’t just about removing body parts; they were about reclaiming my power over my health. The decisions weren’t easy, but I made them so I could be here for my children, my family, and the life I’m determined to live.
How did your preventive surgeries impact your daily life and work?
I didn’t go through traditional cancer treatment like chemotherapy or radiation, but navigating multiple preventive surgeries—my double mastectomy at 30 and my hysterectomy at 36—was its own kind of treatment. The recovery process was intense, both physically and emotionally. As a mom of three, I had to balance healing with showing up for my family, which wasn’t always easy. There were definitely days when I felt completely depleted, but I never lost sight of why I made these choices—to outpace cancer and reclaim my future.
Where and how have you found the best care?
I’ve learned that the best care comes from providers who truly listen and collaborate with you. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible surgeons and medical teams who not only provided top-tier care but also respected my voice in the process. I’m a patient at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I also believe in the power of advocacy—seeking second opinions, asking questions, and making sure I was making choices that aligned with my body and my goals. The beauty of my situation was I was able to take my time, interview doctors and see who felt like the most aligned with me.
Have you received any additional support or alternative therapies? If so, what kind, and have they been beneficial?
Yes! Post-surgical recovery is about so much more than just the physical healing, and I found alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, and breathwork to be really helpful. I also focused a lot on mindset work—meditation, visualization, and affirmations—to help me move through the emotional weight of it all.
Who have been your biggest supporters and make up your cancer tribe?
My entire community has so many layers and they have all played a role as a pillar of support. My sisters have also been on this journey with me. We each have our own unique voice in the hereditary cancer space. I’ve also found incredible support in the BRCA community and through patient advocacy work. There’s something powerful about connecting with other women who just get it—it’s like an unspoken sisterhood of strength.
What has been one of the most challenging aspects of the experience for you?
The emotional weight of it all. When you make big medical decisions like removing your breasts and ovaries, you’re not just dealing with the physical recovery—you’re also processing the loss of certain parts of yourself. There’s a grieving process that no one really talks about, and it can feel incredibly isolating.
What is one thing you wish you knew before you were diagnosed?
That it’s okay to talk about it. I stayed silent for too long because I thought my diagnosis was a burden to others. I didn’t want to be the “downer” in the room. I stuffed down my feelings and portrayed strength only so everyone else would feel comfortable with my decision to remove my breasts… since I was the first person in my family to do it prophylactically. I also didn’t feel like I belonged in the breast cancer community because I’m not a breast cancer survivor. But looking back, I realize that talking about it—not just the facts, but the feelings—is what actually makes it easier to carry. It allows space to create the right community for my own experience. Authenticity is key.
Is there a particular mantra or inspiration that helps you?
I always come back to this: Fear will not make my decisions for me. It’s easy to let fear control your choices, especially when facing the unknown. But I refuse to live a small life just because something scares me. I realized quickly that if it scares me enough, it means I’m heading in the right direction… so I’ve learned to DO IT SCARED!
If you could offer a woman who has been newly diagnosed some words of wisdom for her journey, what would you tell her?
You are not alone. This diagnosis may feel like it’s taking over your life, but it does not define you. You are still you—strong, whole, and worthy of joy. And you don’t have to go through this in silence. Find your people, ask all the questions, and don’t be afraid to take up space in your own story. Not everyone or everything that you lose along the way will be a loss.
What are you most proud of in your cancer journey?
That I didn’t just outpace breast cancer—I built a life that I love. I remember when I was first diagnosed with BRCA1 how I just wanted to see someone living a big, beautiful life. When I couldn’t see it, I chose to take control of my story, and now I use my voice to help other women live boldly. The whole becoming the first woman to complete the world marathon majors after a double mastectomy has been pretty cool too. But what truly lights me up is getting on the phone with another previvor and showing her what's possible when we choose to use this research, to use this knowledge and create action.
How has breast cancer affected your outlook on life and illness?
It’s completely shifted how I see everything. I don’t take time for granted, and I try not to sweat the small stuff. I also see illness differently now—I used to think of cancer as something that just happens to you, but I’ve learned that we have more power than we realize. Whether it’s through prevention, early detection, or making choices that align with our health, we are not always powerless. Cancer and the members in this beautiful community have taught me to live with intention.
Throughout this journey, how have you changed?
Oh man. I’m a completely different person. I had no idea what I wanted to do in this lifetime. And now, I'm living my purpose. I love who I am. I may have taken the long road to first unbecome all the things I used to be in order to become the person I have been striving for… but above all, I’ve stopped waiting. I used to wait for the “right time” to do things—to take the trip, to chase the dream, to say yes to what lights me up. Now, I just go for it. You get to be the person you want to be right now. You become your higher self by showing up authentically. I know now that life isn’t guaranteed, so I’m living boldly, out loud, and without regrets. We all forget we never know when our last day will be. When I leave this earth, I want my friends and family to have a party, play our favorite songs, tell their favorite stories, and clap with a standing ovation. My people will have a knowing, I truly lived while loving them fiercely and helping as many people as I can along the way.
