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Spillsy's avatar
Spillsy
Member
8 years ago

genetics

Hi all, I had BC in my family, dads side, grandma at 77 and Aunt at 51, so was having mammograms since turning 40, which this managed to grow in between. GP, Surgeon, and oncologist, seem very quick to dismiss a family link, saying they were old,  when I put my sister 43 into the risk assessment tools, and now add me as her sister with BC in at 45, she becomes high risk. Have others had genetics tests. I thought I was doing the right thing with screening mammography, from 40,  and now realise I should have advocated for more frequent screening for myself, although my GP even dismissed any cause for concern due to ages at diagnosis. My Aunty developed pancreatic cancer 15 years after her breast cancer and died about 6 months later, she said before she died that she had been told it was highly likely a genetic disposition.  Too late for me, but what have other done about their genetic risks 
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    8 years ago
    Ask for a referral for a consult to a genetic counsellor..
    They will map your family tree iand determine if suitable for free testing. If you are positive any children you have carry a 50% chance of carrying the gene. So it is important and it's very important in regards to pancreatic, ovarian and a second primary breast cancer. If your breast surgeon won't refer your GP can. It doesn't change today's treatment but may change future options. I didn't carry tbe faukty gene of my family and it has helped me deal with tbe huilt of not being more assertive too. My bc I found 5 weeks after a clear mammogram. My dense breast tissue was likely consealing it. Kath x
  • JoeyLiz's avatar
    JoeyLiz
    Member
    8 years ago
    I have just had the blood test done, get the results in 8-10wks.
    my paternal grandmother had breast cancer at 55, that’s the only breast or prostate cancer in the family. But with me being 31 and hormone negative they think it’s a possibility it’s genetics.
    using the Manchester score I was 3 points below the 10% threshold where they offer the test (the difference being I was 31 and not 30 at diagnosis all be it by 3 months!) but apparently the new thing is to test all women diagnosed under 35.
    plus I also consented for them to do further genetic testing other than the brca for research 
  • AineG's avatar
    AineG
    Member
    8 years ago
    Good luck with the treatments.  Sucks at this age... sucks at any age! but there is life after cancer....  I'm really enjoying life now, I make more effort everyday, at home, with the kids, making sure I don't take it for granted.
    You'll get there too...  :) 

  • Spillsy's avatar
    Spillsy
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thanks, am going to follow up, but yes probably low BRAc 1/2 chance.
    I have a much much smaller family, and my parents died of other causes. Plus my Aunts daughter died of a congenital heart thing when she was late 30s, so we haven’t got a huge pool of females to review. 
    I thought I might get it but not at bloody 45!!!!!! Oh well just got to get on with this year long treatment marathon!!! Week one over with....
  • AineG's avatar
    AineG
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Spillsy, I was diagnosed at 44 and with relatives who had also had BC I too was concerned for my sister and my nieces etc.  With a fair few relatives with various cancers I went through a questionnaire with the genetics dept at Randwick, the result of which was that given how many relatives I actually have (Irish family) and their ages when diagnosed I had a less than 2% chance of mine being genetic.  
    You can talk to your oncologist about whether or not it's worth doing the questionnaire in your case.

    Aine