Forum Discussion

Cath_wal's avatar
Cath_wal
Member
14 years ago

Genetic testing

Have recently decided to have genetic testing in order to make an informed long term decision. This costs a lot, however, it may save in the big scheme of things and give me peace of mind around my decision making - radiotherapy and more cancer and tests twice a year or mastectomy.

2 Replies

  • Cath_wal's avatar
    Cath_wal
    Member
    14 years ago
    Well after a four week wait for genetic testing results, inconclusive! I hadn't realised how much I had been counting on these results. I broke down. It made me think more though. I knew what I was going to do if positive, but what if they were negative. I didn't want to go down my mothers path of going through all the treatment twice and then dying. I discussed the alternatives with my surgeon. Five years of drug treatment, every six months of MRI, or ultra sound and mammogram for the next 15 yrs, or six months now and be done with it. As difficult as it has been to make this decision, I know in the long term it will be piece of mind. So in 2 weeks I'm having a prophylactic mastectomy and implants at the same time. I am scared, but reading the positive outcomes that lots of women have recorded here helps. Thank you everyone for sharing.
  • Cath_wal's avatar
    Cath_wal
    Member
    14 years ago
    Well after a four week wait for genetic testing results, inconclusive! I hadn't realised how much I had been counting on these results. I broke down. It made me think more though. I knew what I was going to do if positive, but what if they were negative. I didn't want to go down my mothers path of going through all the treatment twice and then dying. I discussed the alternatives with my surgeon. Five years of drug treatment, every six months of MRI, or ultra sound and mammogram for the next 15 yrs, or six months now and be done with it. As difficult as it has been to make this decision, I know in the long term it will be piece of mind. So in 2 weeks I'm having a prophylactic mastectomy and implants at the same time. I am scared, but reading the positive outcomes that lots of women have recorded here helps. Thank you everyone for sharing.