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OMG's avatar
OMG
Member
9 years ago

To test or not to test? That is the question...

Hi All!

10 days since first chemo treatment and not as bad as I thought! Brain a little fuzzy, dry mouth, a little heart burn...looks like chocolate is out ??

i just received a letter to have a BRAC test. I have no family history of any cancer and have triple neg hormones and 44 yrs old...but do I really want to find out? Do I want my sons to be nervous if they have baby girls in the very distant future..they are only 13 and 15!

i have heard it will also effect their insurance for health and life.

is it worth while knowing????

4 Replies

  • Hi! I am triple positive with a really strong history of BC and BRCA2 in the family. It was almost a given that I was BRCA 2 positive.

    I was tested and crazily - I'm not positive (in fact the genetics counsellor was in shock more than I was, given my family history).

    I also have two sons (although mine are only 1 and 3) and for me it was a really significant relief that I couldn't have passed that gene defect on to them. So if you are negative, it might be a comfort for you. It was for me.

    But more importantly, if you are positive the BRCA 2 gene is also linked to prostate cancer in men so that's important to know if you have boys - they need to be as careful about their prostates as we are about our breasts, if they carry the gene!

    Whatever you decide I hope your treatment goes well! xx

  • Wow...thanks for sharing...you certainly are covering all bases!

    I want to see my kids grow up too....I hope it all goes well for you!

    Lisa

  • Hi

    After being diagnosed with triple negative BC back in January (followed by lumpectomy and chemo), I immediately requested the genetics test. My reasoning was my strong family history, young age (43 at the time), type of BC and the fact that I had two daughters that I also needed to factor into any decisions I made. I also have three nieces.

    I tested positive for BRCA2 which in very simple terms meant that I had a very high chance of the BC returning in my other breast plus an increased chance of ovarian cancer.

    So the test results influenced my next decisions. I am young. I want to do everything possible to ensure the cancer doesn't come back. I want to be here for my children for a long time yet. So I made the choice to have a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction - that happened a week ago and I am currently recovering from that. A little further down the track I will have my ovaries removed also.

    I informed my nieces also. For them, all that means at the moment is that they should be a little more vigilant with their self testing than perhaps the average 20-somethings. It is of course their personal decision to be tested for the gene or not. For my daughters, who are currently only 3 and 5, I will tell them when they are a lot older. Advances are being made in science every day so by the time they are in their twenties, hopefully they will have more options than I did.

    It is a very personal choice. My decisions aren't for everyone. But thought I would share my reasoning.

    Good luck

    x-Sherril

  • I'll be interested in the replies you receive. I don't know the answer to your question. I was also triple neg and I do have history of lung cancer in my family.  I did ask my oncologist about having the test but she said no it's not necessary.

    I would be interested to know did you request the test or did they recommended it? 

    Hope the rest of your Treatment goes well. Take it easy and rest lots. 

    Anne-Marie ??