Forum Discussion

Blossom59's avatar
Blossom59
Member
12 years ago

Genetic Testing

I have only 1 first cousin at age 45 and an Aunt 60 with breast cancer.  In my mothers generation there are 11 cousins, 4 with bowel cancer, the aunt with breast cancer, an aunt with uterus cancer, one pancreatic cancer, aunt with Hodgkins Lymphoma, one pancreatic cancer. And lucky last has the Bowel Cancer Gene. Have I lost you yet???   I'm confused so don't worry if you are on reading this.  Let me just say lots of Cancers with bowel being the dominant one.

Now in my generation 6 grandaughters, 4 with cancer - 66%.  all in 40's when diagnosed 1 bowel, 2 breast (me) and 1 lung cancer.  Lots of cousins with polyps removed (these are the nasties that turn into cancer, this includes me).

 I have seen the Genetics team in Melbourne but they cannot see any connection with the breast and bowel cancers, so at this stage they are not testing for genetics. They only seemed interested in the bowel cancers, especially as one has tested positive to a rare gene.

I found this article interesting and will bring it up with the Victorian genetics team when I next speak to them.

http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/72225/cancer-information/cancer-research-cancer-type/latest-research/a-new-cause-of-familial-bowel-cancer/?pp=32254&cc=7853&&ct=2

Just wondering if anyone else has information about this?  

Candy

21 Replies

Show More
  • Bella314's avatar
    Bella314
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Candygirl,

    That link is very interesting, thank you.  It seems to back up information that we (my family) believe is the case. 

    For info, the cancers our family has had include, breast, prostate, renal, thyroid bladder, with more than one incidence of each type.  My cousin (who has had renal and thyroid cancers - both primaries) said her endocrinologist has suddenly sat up and taken notice;  and is talking about another test?  Im not exactly sure, it's all quite recent.  What I have found out is the BRCA2 mutation that I have tested positive for (and I'm sure the BRCA1 mutation) prevents the genes doing the repair work that they're supposed to do, and therefore things like cancer get out of hand.  It seems logical to me, that it would not be restricted to breast and prostate cancers (which are the ones they're currently linked to), but could possibly have a hand in all cancers...but the doctors/scientists researchers, haven't proven that yet.  I have found the medical profession is very reluctant to take on anything that hasn't been proven.  It seems like we are being kept in the dark.