Alix Earle praised for sparking life-saving trend after new show
Influencer Alix Earle has opened up a conversation about a scary subject for many, and viewers have been sharing their gratitude with the star.
Her new Netflix series, Earle Meets World, follows a turbulent period in her life, but one of its most serious storylines centres on her family's experience with breast cancer.
She has been praised for bringing attention to an issue that could have a far greater impact than the usual reality TV drama.
Earle and her sister have shone a spotlight on steps to understand your inherited cancer risk.
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Alix's mother, Alisa Earle, was diagnosed with the disease last year and discovered she carried a BRCA2 mutation.
Following the shock discovery, Alix and her younger sister, Ashtin, decided to undergo genetic testing themselves, according to PEOPLE Magazine.
The results, revealed during the seventh episode, were difficult for the sisters to hear.
Both tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation.
The moment was filmed for the series, with Alix and Ashtin learning the news alongside their mother.
Alix became visibly emotional as the significance of the result sank in, while the sisters comforted one another.
Rather than hiding the experience, they chose to include it in the programme in the hope that viewers might learn something from what their family had gone through.
That decision appears to have struck a chord with viewers.
"It broke my heart that their mom kept saying 'sorry' like she was blaming herself," wrote one viewer.
"I hope this helps bring awareness to younger girls to get physicals frequently. Women’s health is not advocated enough!!!" added another.
"As someone who works in oncology, please please get your regular exams, also please make sure you do self examinations. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not know what’s going on with your own bodies. Cancer does not discriminate, it does not care how old or young you are," urged one expert.
Some reactions have praised Alix for making genetic testing part of a mainstream conversation, with particular attention being paid to the importance of understanding family medical history.
A private GP, Dr Lucy Hooper, praised: "More people talking about genetic testing will help more people get the privilege of early diagnosis and prevention."
One recent reaction to the show described the information about BRCA testing as particularly valuable, highlighting how Alix's enormous online following could help bring an unfamiliar subject to a much wider audience.
The wider message, however, is more nuanced than simply encouraging everyone to book a test.
What are BRCA genes?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes involved in repairing damaged DNA.
Certain inherited changes in these genes can substantially increase the risk of developing cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancer.
Genetic testing is generally recommended based on factors such as a person's own medical history and their family's history of cancer, rather than as a routine test for everyone.
For the Earle sisters, their mother's diagnosis provided a clear reason to investigate their own genetic risk.
Their experience also illustrates why knowing your family history can be so important.
A positive result does not mean someone will definitely develop cancer, but it can give doctors and patients more information when considering appropriate monitoring and preventative care.
Speaking about what happened after the results, Alix and Ashtin have said they began working with a genetic counsellor and became more conscious of their health and future choices.
Alix told E! News “It was hard, even the moments where I'm like, ‘I just want to go [be] alone and cry right now.’”
“When we were going through it, though, I didn't really think much about the cameras,” she continued, “because we were so focused on each other and just being there and supporting each other."
Alix has also spoken about how the information could affect decisions surrounding having children in the future.
Until now, Alix's influence has often been associated with beauty, fashion and social media trends.
By sharing an intensely personal family experience, she and Ashtin have encouraged viewers to think about their own family histories and ask informed questions of their doctors.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Reality TV, Netflix, Cancer, Women's Health
Jen Thomas