Discovering a Family History

Dear Lunanoire,

I too got a surprise when diagnosed with bc a year after Mum died from it. She had talked openly to us in latter years about the need to keep slim ( i wish) and need to have regular mammograms. Thanks god I did because otherwise I would not be here now.

The surprise was just how much cancer was in my family on both sides and that a family friend advised genetic testing. this was done for my sister soon after my surgery and for me once all treatment complete some 18 m later. 

Thankfully neither of us has the brca gene. If I did carry it, I would have had a prophylactic oophrectomy and probably double mestectomy. 

It is a pity so many families don't talk openly about cancer, other chronic &/or psychiatric issues and so many other medical conditions which if diagnosed early have a far better prognosis. Maybe then too instead of fearing the dreaded C and avoiding getting screening tests, many would be educated that nowadays many of us live a long and productive life, that surgery for most is breast conserving and indeed may enhance what God gave us, maybe we also need to talk about palliation and how that can mean an easier, less painful end of life. I am advocating for better palliative care, more nurses and medical staff in hopsitals, nursing homes etc who know about lymphoedema diagnosis and treatment, palliative care and end of life issues long before required. (sorry about the soapbox)

wishing you all well in your cancer journey and the upcoming prophylatic surgery which means you wont have the stress so many of us have each year when we go for our mammorgam & ultrasound or other diagnostic tests. 

Please don't avoid the bowel cancer test we get every 5 years from age 50 either

your pink sister,

Carol