I'm interested to know if anyone on this forum has had the testing and what they decided to do with the results? I have 15 year old daughter and a sister so just wondering about the many issues involved with this. I realise it's a low chance of genetics being the cause but still wonder about it. It's a big one isn't it?
I'm going for testing in June. I was first diagnosed (at age 35) in 2003 and then again with a separate cancer in the other side in 2010. I also have a cousin on my Dad's side who was diagnosed before the age of 40 last year and my grandmother on my Mum's side died of BC.
I have two boys but I believe that if I carry the gene and have passed it on to them, it can increase their risk of prostate cancer and testicular cancer. I also have a sister who has two daughters. She wants to know whether I carry the gene but I'm not sure what she will do with the info if she finds out that I do....
It is a very difficult decision to make but I think getting tested is the right one for me. What I do with the info remains to be seen....
Louise x
Oh wow what a time you have had and thankyou so much for the reply to me. Yes it does open up a huge can of worms doesn't it. And I am aware of all the issues that is why the decsion to test is a difficult one. I read a book by an , cant remember what it was called "Pretty something" by a lady who was also young and was tested for the gene after her mum died. Hers was positive and it talked about her feelings, it was very thought provoking. My daughter is 26 and understandably is scared now I have had bc especially after my mum and her cousins. But she has said she doesnt want to know. so If I test and its positive I cant tell her, but I feel if I dont I am perhaps burying my head in the sand, after all I want to live a long time yet.... It is good to hear you are glad you had the test and dont regret finding out, that is big help to me.
I feel for you so many decisions at your age is a huge thing and it is good that we have the choice on things but it is still very difficult.
Take care and stay in touch
Robyn xx
hey hey, i had test done as i got brestcancer at such a young age (26) even though i didnt have any family history of breast cancer i think as my cancer wasnt hormone receptive the were a little baffled at why??? it came back as positive!! which was a huge surprise to all of us, and no im not adopted haha i questioned that when it came positive..... it was carried down on my fathers side and his fathers side.... so they can carry it.... For me i am glad i had the test done, one as to know why i did get it at such a young age, but also so i could make more informed decsions.... i had a masectomy once i knew i had it as i never want to face chemo again... and now i have to have regular check ups on my ovaries as i have a high risk og gettign ovarian cancer.... the doctors are hestant to take my ovaries at such are young age as they want me to have kids...but when i think about it knowing i have the gene and possible passing that on (50%) to my daughter and having to watch her make some difficult descions at such an young age i dont know if i could do that.... even though i have regular test on my ovaries i still have cyst on them which i get a scare every three months and the thing with ovairian cancer the outcome isnt that postive as they dont have the medical advancement yet to etect it early, so once they have detected it its usually spread and is termianal..... but they wont take my ovaries as they think im too young to get cancer yet i defied the odds and got breast cancer as a "too young off an age" so having the gene opens a HUGE can of worms but i feel you can a little bit of control bakc if that makes sense i hope this helps megs xx
I am waiting on an appointment to have Genetic testing as I have long history of cancer in my family. I have a daughter and 3 grandaughters, so it is important to have this information. My 30 year old daughter did not want to know at first , but has now asked to come with me ,when I have my appointment.
I am waiting on an appointment to have Genetic testing as I have long history of cancer in my family. I have a daughter and 3 grandaughters, so it is important to have this information. My 30 year old daughter did not want to know at first , but has now asked to come with me ,when I have my appointment.
I am going to have genetic testing done this week. I was diagnosed with bc last October and one of my sisters in January.
To me it seems simple that we should be tested so that we will have as much information as we can about the possibility of it coming back, and about the risk for our other sisters.
I am going to have genetic testing done this week. I was diagnosed with bc last October and one of my sisters in January.
To me it seems simple that we should be tested so that we will have as much information as we can about the possibility of it coming back, and about the risk for our other sisters.
Hi Josie
My mum had breast cancer when she was 39 and as far as I knew up to my diagnosis this year there was no others, but since then I have contacted her family and found she has 2 first cousins who also have had breast cancer, one of them also only 40. I have been for my first genetic testing appointment and am going again this Friday to see the Professor. You have to be in the high category to be tested for free, as far as I understand from my 1st appoinment that means 2 or 3 1st degree relatives ( who are young ) who have had breast cancer, they also said there would be ovarian cancer in the family also.
It is a difficult decsion to know if I will do it if given the choice as I have a 26 year old daughter ( she doesnt want to know) I am swaying to the side of just be sure to monitor ourselves and our daughters much earlier and regularly as I have done since 40. If my mum had not had bc I would not have found this one because they have been doing a mammogram & ultrasound yearly. Mine was found on the ultrasound not the mammogram.
Hope this is a bit helpful and I will let you know what happens after Friday
Rob x
Hi Josie
My mum had breast cancer when she was 39 and as far as I knew up to my diagnosis this year there was no others, but since then I have contacted her family and found she has 2 first cousins who also have had breast cancer, one of them also only 40. I have been for my first genetic testing appointment and am going again this Friday to see the Professor. You have to be in the high category to be tested for free, as far as I understand from my 1st appoinment that means 2 or 3 1st degree relatives ( who are young ) who have had breast cancer, they also said there would be ovarian cancer in the family also.
It is a difficult decsion to know if I will do it if given the choice as I have a 26 year old daughter ( she doesnt want to know) I am swaying to the side of just be sure to monitor ourselves and our daughters much earlier and regularly as I have done since 40. If my mum had not had bc I would not have found this one because they have been doing a mammogram & ultrasound yearly. Mine was found on the ultrasound not the mammogram.
Hope this is a bit helpful and I will let you know what happens after Friday
Rob x
