BRCA2

Hi Dot

I was so sad to hear of your news.....it must be hard to deal with!  I haven't got my results yet (they said it could take 5 months and I only had the test done on 20th June). 

Julia, I was only tested because they thought that there was a risk of me having the BRCA1/2 gene mutations.  I am not sure what their protocol is but I know that not everyone can be tested.  My family is only able to be tested if I find out that I am positive.  There are a lot of considerations if you want to be tested, both emotionally and physically.  It will affect your ability to get life insurance, may lead to additional medical procedures (or decisions about additional medical procedures), how will it affect other members of your family if you are tested, etc.  How would a positive test affect your family ?  Would it mean that your daughters (if you have any) have to make decisions about prophylactic mastectomies to reduce their risk?  What about the men - will they need to be more vigilant, not just for breast cancer but prostate cancer?  It is a really big decision and not one to be taken lightly.  The Genetic Testing people have counsellors that you have to talk to before you can go ahead with the test.  I would recommend asking your doctor for a referral if you want to look into getting tested.

Dot, I hope all goes ok for you.  I will have my ovaries removed if I am positive (already decided that I've finished with them anyway!!) but not sure about a hysterectomy...I guess I'll have to wait and see what the results bring.

Take care and keep in touch,

Louise x

 

Yes, Smiley, you said that very thing and it is a VERY POWERFUL TOOL. Now that you know Dot what you are looking at - you can prepare everyone. It NEVER means that it WILL happen. You can be prepared for the worst and if it doesn't happen - be relieved.

Don't ever forget that treatment is improving all of the time and when your daughters are old enough that they MAY be Possibly affected by cancer, it may be much better treatment than you have had/will have.

Try to be positive and knowing that you always have a choice to which path you travel. There is no instance of cancer in my family yet I had breast cancer this year. My maternal grand father smoked til he was in his late 60's my paternal grand father til he was dead at 81! Neither of them died from cancer. So try not to stress about what might be and follow your intuition, the information you have and take the advice to ask all the questions you need/want.

We are never dead until we are 6 foot under!

Take care

Sandy

Yes, Smiley, you said that very thing and it is a VERY POWERFUL TOOL. Now that you know Dot what you are looking at - you can prepare everyone. It NEVER means that it WILL happen. You can be prepared for the worst and if it doesn't happen - be relieved.

Don't ever forget that treatment is improving all of the time and when your daughters are old enough that they MAY be Possibly affected by cancer, it may be much better treatment than you have had/will have.

Try to be positive and knowing that you always have a choice to which path you travel. There is no instance of cancer in my family yet I had breast cancer this year. My maternal grand father smoked til he was in his late 60's my paternal grand father til he was dead at 81! Neither of them died from cancer. So try not to stress about what might be and follow your intuition, the information you have and take the advice to ask all the questions you need/want.

We are never dead until we are 6 foot under!

Take care

Sandy

Hi Dot

Sorry to hear your news. That must be hard. Do they recommend any different treatment for you because of it?

I am getting the results of my genetic testing in two weeks & I'm feeling nervous.

Best wishes

Rachel

Hi Dot, so sorry to hear about your news. As you said, you always suspected it, but knowing it becomes another matter. How old are your daughters, and will you be telling them? Chris