genetics

Yep @DearB, it's something that has to be disclosed if they apply for life insurance and are asked for family history. As they then pose a higher risk I guess if you've tested positive as a BRCA 1 or 2 - don't quote me though it's months since it was all explained to me as this ol chemo brains has some black holes still! 

@mollygirl. That was the implication of the testing I couldn’t think yesterday’s what the dr had said but yes maybe they can be discriminated against for life insurance later.  That sucks doesn’t it.   I wonder if they can discriminate though.    

I contacted the genetic testing people and filled out the questionnaire and because of cancer history was given the test for free. It’s just a blood test and takes about 3 months to get results. If you don’t qualify you can still get it done it costs $500 

Hi @Spillsy, I had genetic testing done really to help me decide if I was going to have mastectomies or not. I had them done anyway even tho no BRCA.

I was triple negative like @onemargie, and because TNBC has higher chance of BRCA mutation it's usually recommended. I had a 'color test' I saw a geneticist and then sent my saliva to the USA and it tested for about 30 gene mutations. This was a good option for me as I had melanoma a couple of years ago. It's expensive - $550 for the doctor and $450 for the test. But the Foundation at my place of treatment helped me out with some of the payment. 

I think testing is smart to help you choose treatment path. ie mastectomies or not. Every little bit of info helps. 

Once you you have the test tho, if positive may have implications for your children's ability to apply for life insurance down the track if you are positive.  My poor teenage son was quite anxious about the results bless him. Xx

Hi there I was diagnosed aged 43 with triple negative breast cancer no family history and qualified for the gene test as I was under 50 and had no family history of breast cancer. Mine came back negative for the gene so it’s not recommended I test our kids either for the gene either you can get the test done privately but it costs around $1000. Margie xx

The incidence of cancer increases as you get older (no comfort to those of us who are over 70 at all!). Your body and its cells are ageing and are more susceptible to malfunction, the effects of some carcinogens (eg alcohol, nicotine) may have accumulated and you have been around long enough to have a higher chance of sheer bad luck striking. Keeping/eating healthy as far as possible, exercise, regular checks, all may help. 

Bollocks that Fathers side didn't count. If he had the gene he could of past it to you. 50% chance.  That's why we have genetic counsellors. If they don't think it's not a risk at least they explain why. My father lost 3 sisters and a mother and 2 nieces to ovarian cancer and/or bc. They were convinced I had that gene because of the age they got it...around menopause. My sister also had bc but we had diff Dad's. They were looking at my Father's side only who were in Scotland. 

My sister had been tested as her daughter developed bc also but they were neg to all known thus far. The genetics people believe we have a gene just not one known of as yet. But at this stage I am just considered an unlucky 1 in 8. Each time a new one discovered they retest my niece, the last retest was after I queried the newest gene for risk and they recalled her for testing again. But no. Still a mystery.

I would definitely recommend genetic testing - even for you to know if you have past it into your children.
i just had two relatives my mum and her mum and I have brac1.
found out too late though as diagnosed at 38.
to young but I assume there is never a ideal age to go through this. 
Ny daughter has 50% chance but we arnt going to test her till 18.
my brother and sister are both waiting for results 

Thanks so much for much you all are so knowledgeable, kind and supportive in your advice, I will, follow up but they all seem so dismissive. I will follow up for my sister and my sons sake.
 My GP said that fathers side didn’t really count, gosh it’s a worry, as it’s just a relevant in the risk questionaire’s. 
My Aunty died of pancreatic cancer years after her breast cancer, ( which is now worrying me a bit, too and she told me just before she died that she was seeing a genetics Dr, but nothing more, but I should get mammograms which I did.
i notice your comment about dense breasts, I have those too apparently, as the wise surgeon said rather like it was obviuos.
Why don’t they tell you about this after mammograms, I had no idea about our higher risks. I really thought I was doing the right thing, but now know that I had no idea and was a sitting duck!!! Life stinks....!! 

I don,t really get the whole thing about a person not having a greater risk of having a gene mutation for a familiar cancer and possibly being denied testing if all the people that have died of related cancers in the family were over a certain age? Doesn't make it any less worrying for yourself that you may or may not be at a  lesser risk because your family member was older when they died of that cancer.  Any risk small or large is a concern to me when there is multiple cancers on one side of the family.  I have been offered testing but I've yet to talk in depth with the counsellor  as to what faulty genes they are considering testing for, being that pancreatic and stomach cancer are dominant on my mothers side.  To be honest the thought of possibly getting pancreatic cancer worries me more than a return of breast cancer.   Guess in life there is always something to worry about , trick is not to let it dominate your thoughts and to do all you can to stay healthy.