Forum Discussion
CHEK2... my genetic plot thickens?
Today I went to have genetic testing for the CHEK2 gene mutation.
Simply put the CHEK2 gene regulates cell division. If it's mutated the cells go on dividing and, well, cancer. It's also linked to increased risk of prostate, kidney, colon, thyroid, lung, some brain cancers and osteosarcoma. With breast, it's indicative of an increased risk in the moderate range if no first or second degree relative has it, if both have, as in my case, it's an increase in risk of 44%.
Well aren't I glad I've had a bilateral mastectomy...
And interestingly it has a direct correlation on the effectiveness of some of the breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. If I do have the CHEK2 mutation, I had the right chemo. I checked. Can you imagine how I'd feel if the chemo I'd had was the wrong one?? Holy f**k...
So my remaining sister is trying to decide what to do with her breasts. As the only woman in two generations not to have breast cancer, this is of course a major consideration.
She found her way to a private clinic and had a genomic test and didn't have the CHEK2 mutation. My mother had the same test and did have it. It's quite a rare mutation. My deceased sister didn't do this test, so I'm the last piece in this jigsaw puzzle. If I do have it, my sister is somewhat more in the clear than if I didn't.
The genetic counsellor today said that he'd be very surprised if I didn't have it. He's also fairly convinced that my deceased sister had it based on some previous health issues.
It's a spit test. I had to fill a vial with saliva, and now it will wing its way to San Francisco. Faster and cheaper than doing it at Peter Mac (sad). I'll find out in early November.
The geneticist said that it would have combined with other unknown genetic factors to cause my BC, something that accords with Peter Mac's assessment of a polygenic cause earlier this year.
If I do have it I'm uninsurable (for life insurance), but that ship has sailed anyway. As my kids reach adulthood they'll have to think very carefully about how to proceed.
Along with the CHEK2 test, he's testing a large number of other genes (61 in total). I thought about it when he asked me if I wanted to do the full panel. In the end I decided that if I'm in for a penny I may as well be in for the pound. If I can catch some other health drama early and/or head it off at the pass, I'd like to. Knowledge is power etc.
If I do have it, well I suppose I'll have to have a good chat with my oncologist about how to screen, or not, what precautions I have to take etc. I don't suppose it'd qualify me for a subsidised MRI. That'd be too much to hope for...
This (of course...) has been very stressful. It's probably contributed to my high anxiety week. As I was finishing the ExMed workout today my sister rang to change a complicated arrangement, it got mildly contentious and she hung up on me. Which I hate and, of course, burst into tears. FFS I'm a 52yo woman! Not some angst ridden teenager with pmt! I just can't cope with the slightest derailment at the moment. I simply don't recognise myself. I'm embarrassed writing it here yet again. I won't anymore. Just presume I'm weeping on a regular basis...
And now I'm consoling my still wet eyed self with a café lunch and there's a revolting couple refusing to control their toddlers who are literally screaming, running around and banging on the windows. When my kids were that age if they behaved like that they were packed into the pram and taken home. I only had to do it once with each kid. They never did it again because I don't do empty threats.
Hurrumph. I am grumpy as f**k.
Simply put the CHEK2 gene regulates cell division. If it's mutated the cells go on dividing and, well, cancer. It's also linked to increased risk of prostate, kidney, colon, thyroid, lung, some brain cancers and osteosarcoma. With breast, it's indicative of an increased risk in the moderate range if no first or second degree relative has it, if both have, as in my case, it's an increase in risk of 44%.
Well aren't I glad I've had a bilateral mastectomy...
And interestingly it has a direct correlation on the effectiveness of some of the breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. If I do have the CHEK2 mutation, I had the right chemo. I checked. Can you imagine how I'd feel if the chemo I'd had was the wrong one?? Holy f**k...
So my remaining sister is trying to decide what to do with her breasts. As the only woman in two generations not to have breast cancer, this is of course a major consideration.
She found her way to a private clinic and had a genomic test and didn't have the CHEK2 mutation. My mother had the same test and did have it. It's quite a rare mutation. My deceased sister didn't do this test, so I'm the last piece in this jigsaw puzzle. If I do have it, my sister is somewhat more in the clear than if I didn't.
The genetic counsellor today said that he'd be very surprised if I didn't have it. He's also fairly convinced that my deceased sister had it based on some previous health issues.
It's a spit test. I had to fill a vial with saliva, and now it will wing its way to San Francisco. Faster and cheaper than doing it at Peter Mac (sad). I'll find out in early November.
The geneticist said that it would have combined with other unknown genetic factors to cause my BC, something that accords with Peter Mac's assessment of a polygenic cause earlier this year.
If I do have it I'm uninsurable (for life insurance), but that ship has sailed anyway. As my kids reach adulthood they'll have to think very carefully about how to proceed.
Along with the CHEK2 test, he's testing a large number of other genes (61 in total). I thought about it when he asked me if I wanted to do the full panel. In the end I decided that if I'm in for a penny I may as well be in for the pound. If I can catch some other health drama early and/or head it off at the pass, I'd like to. Knowledge is power etc.
If I do have it, well I suppose I'll have to have a good chat with my oncologist about how to screen, or not, what precautions I have to take etc. I don't suppose it'd qualify me for a subsidised MRI. That'd be too much to hope for...
This (of course...) has been very stressful. It's probably contributed to my high anxiety week. As I was finishing the ExMed workout today my sister rang to change a complicated arrangement, it got mildly contentious and she hung up on me. Which I hate and, of course, burst into tears. FFS I'm a 52yo woman! Not some angst ridden teenager with pmt! I just can't cope with the slightest derailment at the moment. I simply don't recognise myself. I'm embarrassed writing it here yet again. I won't anymore. Just presume I'm weeping on a regular basis...
And now I'm consoling my still wet eyed self with a café lunch and there's a revolting couple refusing to control their toddlers who are literally screaming, running around and banging on the windows. When my kids were that age if they behaved like that they were packed into the pram and taken home. I only had to do it once with each kid. They never did it again because I don't do empty threats.
Hurrumph. I am grumpy as f**k.
107 Replies
- I'm only the second patient my BS has had who has the CHEK2 mutation. He said it had pushed me up towards BRCA territory for the likelihood of getting breast cancer. He doesn't know how it affects my chance of a recurrence. Too new a genetic discovery. I'll see what the expert says in Feb.
He did however confirm that about a third of early breast cancers will recur. I have read this but never heard it from a medical professional. :/ - @mum2jj Yes. The woman on the phone said it was a fairly new genetic discovery and that this doctor was the go to guy as he knew the most. Gotta appreciate being sent to an expert!
- My doctor referred me to the familial centre and they were very helpful but had to work within government guidelines of course. They came from Peter Mac but visit Geelong once a month so I was able to see them here.
- Great you get to speak to someone who,is a bit cluey as well.
Paula x - @Sister @SoldierCrab So far all my dealings with them have been excellent.
- Well at least they have got back to you- that's an important step.
- Sounds like good follow-up.
- I had a phone call from the Peter Mac Familial Cancer Centre while I was away. I'd asked my CHEK2 result to be passed on to them as they were keeping my family's BC details on file. They offered me some genetic counselling, which I gratefully accepted; I have a lot of questions. They have one guy who is the expert on CHEK2. Ideally I would have liked an appointment in January, but the earliest they could give me was late February. I'll sit on my questions until then.
- HI Kate
So glad the teenage years are long gone, not that we had a hard time with our daughters. This is what I'm working on
The front of it is silk ribbon embroidery which i did at a workshop. Decided I'd make it into a bag so it'd be useful! Still a couple of minor embellishments to go. Plus i have a couple of other things on the go. Cath x - Hi Cath. I had an Otis holiday the other side of the mountains in Towong this June. Utterly spectacular. Fell in love with the area. As much as I adore a sea view, if I had to pick it would be a rural one, river and mountains. I am so happy for you that you're making your dream come true.
I'm the same with the gym when it comes to the joint ache & stiffness from you know what. It doesn't make any difference, but I am enjoying feeling stronger and fitter. Plus a bit of muscle definition as we move into summer is always pleasing!
I've got an afternoon of housework and prep for my nephew's birthday tomorrow. He's turning 13... three teenagers in the house, may the gods save me! Might get to some embroidery this evening. What are you working on? K xox
