A survivor diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 says a blood test was able to help her beat it. At 33 years of age, Dani Casper is healthy and active, but four years ago everything came to a stop.

“After I was diagnosed, everybody was just like 'was it because something you ate? I heard there was this place near where you lived!'” Casper said.

Casper discovered a lump on her left breast during a self exam. She says her first question was not why, but how, and what next.

“Do we have some answers as to you know, I don't have any history -- you know, how could have this happened?" Casper said.

That's when Casper’s doctor, Beth Hellerstedt with Texas Oncology, suggested genetic testing.

“This test is really about knowledge and it's about knowledge of your risks, and if your test is negative, that gives us as much information as if the test were positive,” Hellerstedt said.

Through a simple blood test, Hellerstedt would know if Casper had the bract 1 or bract 2 - otherwise known as the breast cancer gene. The National Cancer Institute reports 35 to 85 percent of women with either gene develop breast cancer.

Casper tested positive for bract 1, which she says helped make her life saving decision.

After four months of chemotherapy, Casper decided to have a double mastectomy.

“Yes it was a piece of me that was going to be taken away, but I have my whole life in front of me because of it,” Casper said.

Dr. Hellerstedt says knowing the gene is present gives patients a chance to chart out their survival through preventative care.

“In many ways, if you have the gene, then we can manage it,” Dr. Hellerstedt said.

KVUE and the Susan G. Komen "Race For the Cure" Foundation team up on the 24th of each month to recognize a breast cancer survivor.