BRCA2

Hi Dot

Im so sorry to hear of your results. I can only imagine the worry it has caused you with 4 daughters.

Good luck with your appointment in October and let us know how you go.

Jo xoxox

Hi Louise, sorry for the results. Yes, either result just leave a lot of questions.

It is a very difficult decision to make to get the the test done, but with all the problems, this has cause I am glad I still had the test, because without the test I would still be questioning was it genetics or not.  It has for years been in the back of my mine wondering is it hereditary.  Will I ever get breast cancer.  Now just a different set of questions.

Wishing you all the best on this journey

Dot xxx 

Hi Dot,

I got my results today and, as I expected, they were inconclusive (why can't there be a negative result?!??)  The lady who phoned me said that although it is negative, there may still be a gene causing the problem, just not the ones that they are testing for (BRCA1/2) at the moment.  This sort of leaves me in limbo, so to speak, as I still don't know what has caused my two lots of breast cancer....  It is good news on one hand that I don't carry the gene mutation and therefore haven't passed that on to my kids etc BUT what did cause it?  Is it some other gene, lifestyle, or just plain bad luck!!  I feel that I'm fairly healthy other than having breast cancer twice.  I am not overweight, I exercise regularly and eat mostly the right things.  Why did I get it? and twice at that!

I am not sure what to do now.....I guess I won't have my ovaries removed as technically speaking I shouldn't have a higher than normal risk of ovarian cancer.  After I finish the Tamoxifen in another 4 years I think I will feel very vulnerable - no further testing or medication....will it come back?

It is great that they have the testing available but I would think hard before getting it done.  It doesn't necessarily give you a definite answer and that can be quite confusing.

Take care ladies,

Louise x

Thank you to all for your support. It has been very hard, its like being diagnose with cancer all over again.  Except now I have to worry about my girls. Then this BRCA2 gene also makes my kids and myself at a higher risk to melanomas, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer.  Yes knowledge is power so my girls do know more than ever to be vigilant when they get older.  I will be on their backs.

Also one of the hardest things I am struggling with is now having to tell  family I have tested positive.  The stress that this will cause them and their children.

Then there is some members of the family that others members and myself have not maintained contact  for years, lets just say their lifestyle choices, is not something I want around my children. So they don't even know I had breast cancer. I have no choice but to approach them because I could not live with myself if they got cancer and I could of prevented it.  I just hope this does not gives them the indication they can come back into my life and the trouble it might cause.  I need to do what is right for my children. 

Thats why I did the genetic test for my children and members of my family I love dearly.

Just needed to get that off my chest.

Now thats done, I would like to say I am really grateful that their is technology available to do these tests, to provide the treatment to combat cancer and prevent it.  Because I want myself and my children to live a long life.  I am so lucky to have this available because my relatives did not have these options when they were diagnosed. 

Dot

xxx

Thank you to all for your support. It has been very hard, its like being diagnose with cancer all over again.  Except now I have to worry about my girls. Then this BRCA2 gene also makes my kids and myself at a higher risk to melanomas, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer.  Yes knowledge is power so my girls do know more than ever to be vigilant when they get older.  I will be on their backs.

Also one of the hardest things I am struggling with is now having to tell  family I have tested positive.  The stress that this will cause them and their children.

Then there is some members of the family that others members and myself have not maintained contact  for years, lets just say their lifestyle choices, is not something I want around my children. So they don't even know I had breast cancer. I have no choice but to approach them because I could not live with myself if they got cancer and I could of prevented it.  I just hope this does not gives them the indication they can come back into my life and the trouble it might cause.  I need to do what is right for my children. 

Thats why I did the genetic test for my children and members of my family I love dearly.

Just needed to get that off my chest.

Now thats done, I would like to say I am really grateful that their is technology available to do these tests, to provide the treatment to combat cancer and prevent it.  Because I want myself and my children to live a long life.  I am so lucky to have this available because my relatives did not have these options when they were diagnosed. 

Dot

xxx

Hi Dot

Sorry to hear about your results. I hope all goes well for you and your girls.

 I too am the 4th member in my family to be diagnosed with BC and I have 2 young daughters.  I have not had the testing done yet but will do so in the future. 

Louise - you have made some good points to consider.  Thanks for that your advice has helped me too.

Take care everyone

Ann-Marie xx