Genetic Counselling - What are others experiences?

My Onc referred me to a private clinic who saw me the next day and organised an urgent test to help me decide between a uni or bilateral mastectomy.  The councillor contacted the head of the lab who agreed to a 3 week turnaround so I don’t have to delay surgery as I’d already decided to go for the double if the test came back positive.  
The cost for the initial consult was $295 and as I’m 46 and have 2 different types of primaries (multifocal) with family history I qualified for Medicare.
I get the results next week but have decided to go with the double anyway because I never want to go through this again. Results are still important though, as I have 2 girls and will have a hysterectomy if I have one of the BRCA genes. 

I had genetic testing as my mum was first diagnosed at 40, and me at 42, so both young. No other family history.
All clear but they explained that for me and my sisters our risk is slightly higher than the general population, so we advised to do yearly rather than biannual screening. I was asked to take part in an ongoing study looking at genes related to breast cancer, which I agreed to. If anything comes up in future they will let me know.
I'm going ahead with single mastectomy only, as it is very rare for the original cancer to recurr in the other breast, rather than somewhere else in the body.

According to the genetics oncologist I saw, they currently know a quarter of the genes responsible for breast cancer. If negative, our test results will be reviewed annually against new discoveries.

@SamJgS I'm glad that you have had it done now, it is an interesting one I agree. I think there is more that come back negative than positive as the nature of Breast Cancer is that majority of it is random and not genetic. I think it's good news! as it gives a more definitive direction based on the outcome of this. xx

Just an update had my gene testing.  All negative.  Not really sure how to feel about that.

Three weeks after my diagnosis, my younger sister was also diagnosed, so the genetic counselling and testing became more urgent as I still was to have my surgery. Getting an appointment for counselling was through the oncologist who had to ask for an early appointment as counsellor was booked up for a few months. Full family history (not startling until the above) and discussion about implications of positive findings for us as individuals and for the family. Only my sister would have qualified for free BRCA testing as you have to meet a threshold that includes age and type of tumour (we had different ones!). Decided to  both pay for Color  saliva testing as it tested for 30 cancer causing genes not only breast but others, (about 400 dollars each) and results within less than a month from the US. Fortunately no genes found of relevance.  Was told that if positive, next step would have been to test our parents wrt to which side of the family as it has relevance for extended family and for males and females. All the best. 

@SamJgS I have PM'd you what they sent me.

@SamJgS I would have thought that they'd suggest mastectomy before ovaries. I had Genetic testing in 2016 after I finished chemo due to having a recurrence at the 4yr mark and they cannot explain it when I had aggressive treatment. I only have my Mum who had BC at 40 and no other family history so eventhough I had a recurrence in cost me $800 not rebateable grrrrr!!! disgusting!!! They also explained that they test for BRCA 1 & 2, but there are other mutations linked to BC that they dont as its so complex :/ so mine came back negative. Their recommendation was the same as my thoughts which was a single mastectomy not a double, as they explained they are 2 different things and risk is no different to the normal population. Good news too is my daughter is only like 1% more than the normal population of risk. I needed this testing to support the pending decision by my Surgeon. I did the mastectomy/diep flap immediate recon in 2017, of course preventative and so pathology was normal eeeeh thats hard. Sorry I was ER+ x M

Mine was funded too by the govt by the way @SamJgS xx

I had genetic testing,cost 600 $ last year before it became a free test. My adult daughter wanted me to have the test due to my maternal grandmother and mother then me being diagnosed . She wanted to make informed choices as did I , particularly due to increased risk of ovarian cancer to depending on whether i had the Braca gene and her increased risk if I had the gene.  Turns out that I don’t have the gene although they think that there is something genetic happening given the family history.  There is no doubt all this testing effects insurance as they need to be disclosed on insurance applications.My daughter is already effected because she has had mammogram at 36 and will have to disclose when she tries to increase her income protection. The insurer will no doubt ask questions or exclude Bc from her policy.