Radiation after lumpectomy

Re BRCA testing  its free for all patients with breast or ovarian cancer 

“Dr Caramins said patients with breast or ovarian cancer would be able to get the test for free, once medical specialists assess their family history and risk.
If someone has breast and ovarian cancer and has the mutations, all their relatives will be able to have the test for free.”
Article. 
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-12/breast-and-ovarian-cancer-test-free-for-high-risk-patients/9040274

Hi @Anne65 I had the gene test which was positive for brac1 mutation. It was done during the initial screening at diagnosis - for me the result changed the need to have double mastectomy instead just affected breast.it didn’t delay anything though as I was having chemo first (they did add carboplatin but this was with taxol which was after ac so there was time)

good luck with everything ! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions isn’t it 

@Anne65 and @Sister I saw a geneticist and had Color testing done. This is a saliva test that I sent off to The States. Results came back In a couple of weeks. It was quite expensive but covered about 30 gene mutations and as I had a melanoma diagnosis almost 3 years ago it was a good option for me. xx

@Anne65 I don't even know if I can have the test (it would have to be covered at this stage for me to be able to do it) as the only close family member with bc for me was my sister and I don't think that's enough.  I will be seeing a genetic counsellor at some stage about it.

@Anne65 I'm so sorry you had the goal posts moved on you, so to speak. It does tend to happen.  It's great you had the energy and ability to get back to the Drs and ask more questions.  I found out too slowly that I had a voice in all this and you can say "stop, I need more info and I can't make decisions until I'm informed".  When you do hit the 'stop' button it is amazing at how accommodating people can be and appointments are found for you.  Until I went through the process myself I didn't become as assertive as I am now.  (I'm not a pain in the ass but I do know that if need be there is time to discuss important info.)  Please keep us updated and I'm sorry at the turmoil you must be feeling xxx hugs
@arpie I use a doTerra deo with nasties in it under one armpit lol.  It smells nice and works, which is amazing as I had tried other non nasty deos in the past and had no luck.  The radiation team say I may not need to use deo in my radiated chest side in the future ... it can stop odours!  I had a lumpectomy then total axillary clearance of nodes in right arm.  I must say I am still struggling with underarm pain since July and the lumpectomy is fine. I am doing exercises and massage and see the breast physio regularly. it is an irritating place for a scar and gets rubbed.  I probably would forget i had surgery if not for that pain.  The breast physio says it is due to all the nerves involved and takes time, exercise and massage to heal.  i may never get full feeling in upper arm but scar area is issue. will investigate lazer after rad. xx

I had the test but was negative. I have heard of others requiring it pre radiotherapy. My only thought is maybe they might offer different surgical option if brac1 or 2 positive. 

@primek
did you have the BRCA gene test ? 
@Anne65
asked this above 

Hi @Anne65 one of the best things about this site is there is no judgment about lightly or otherwise - it’s just us pulling each other through.XO

@Anne65  .... I feel for you going thru all this extra decision making on top of the rads & everything else, when you seemed so settled with your choices in the earlier post ..... I hope they can do the BRCA test & get results for you really quickly & that you are clear of the gene so that you can just concentrate on the problem to hand.  My surgeon said that Rads could start up to 4months from surgery ..... 

My family has always had heart attacks  -  so I've always been a bit blasé about cancer .... I am not aware of ANYONE in my immediate siblings, parents & their siblings, or even first cousins who have had any cancer ..... so now that I've got it - they must now be made aware of it!  :neutral:   We've got a 'condition; but it has been 'removed' - and the rads is just there to mop up the left overs, just in case .... 

How I wish that I'd video'd/recorded my first appointment - I meant to - but forgot!   DUH!  I took some notes tho ..... and have now transferred them over to my BCNA journal that arrived on Monday and will have my SIL's ear to pickup on the finer points ....

All the best my friend .... you can do this

RP xx  

@viking1, @Romla, @sandramj, @arpie, @Sister Hi ladies! Thanks for all your posts & support. After my very long post the other day following my visit to my rad onc, i have had a very confusing few days. I felt good about the decisions made after the appt & felt like all was on track & then on Tues i had a call from the genetics team about my test for the BRCA gene, following on from the death of my mum of ovarian cancer at 46 y.o. After discussing it with them, we agreed it would be OK to do the test while i was having my rad treatment as the results would take too long & would hold up my treatment. I was happy with that but still a bit confused & couldn't remember exactly what Dr Borg had said & by the end of the day, after getting another call from them & cancelling an appt. they had made for me for 2 days time, I was thinking if i had made the right decision. Funny how you forget things after seeing so many specialists, that's why it's good to take someone else to the appts, which I do. i remember my rad onc saying that if I do have the gene then it may effect what to do next as rad treatment may cause problems with some future treatments. It may mean having a mastectomy/ovaries removed.  I was so unhappy & my decision didn't sit well with me. Up until now, I have been happy with decisions made by me & the team so i rang the rad onc the next day & after speaking to him, rad centre & genetics dept, 7 phone calls later, he decided for me to have the gene test on the same day as my rad plan & they would rush my test results through in about 2-3 weeks. My rad onc was happy to wait for the results before doing the rad treatment as I was scared it would be too long from surgery, making it about 2 months since the operation. I am happy now the rad onc has made the decision so both appts are booked in for Tues 30th. If my test is positive, then I really don't want to think about what i am going to do as if i have rad, then it may compromise any surgery I have in the future if i get cancer back due to the gene. Anyway, no use worrying until the results are in!! i remember many of you ladies, telling us to follow your gut so when I felt uneasy about the first plan, i knew I had to make some calls & it is now changed. Have any of you had the test & if so did they do it before any rad treatment? Knowing how much the result of the test effects further treatment, i wonder why they don't mention it to everyone who is about to undertake rad if they have a family history. @viking1 Hope your rad started OK on Wed. i was thinking of you. I am a little nervous about the thought of it but know it is the best thing to do to "mop up any little escapees"!!. @arpie Good Luck with seeing the surgeon Monday. I know you will be anxious about the results so fingers crossed. I felt sick walking in to my appt. & cried when she gave me the good news about my margins. Stay positive & take on their advice to be guided by. @Sister, always thinking of you. Hope the cardio test went well & you are ready for your chemo to start. Sorry you are going through this. Every step is getting you closer to the end. Hang in there & know we are all thinking of you. I am constantly inspired by you ladies. You have gone through so much more than me it makes me feel guilty that I have got off so lightly so far. I know you all have your down days & i wish i could take away your pain but your courage is something that makes me strong & so proud of you all. xxxx