Genetic Variant

Definately in your case with such a strong family history it is worth having any procedure that will help and give you peace of mind also.

What ever decision you make it is what is best for you.

Hi Tintin, I am 43 years old. I have a family history of breast cancer too.  I have the Brac2 gene.  I had already made up mine before I got the results to have my ovaries removed.  Since being on tamoxifen I now have a thicken growth on my endometrium.    So I am having a complete hysterectomy which includes uterus cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes.  I will be having this next month.

I have 4 girls ranging from 17 to 11.  My girls never met my mother (their grandmother) because she died from breast cancer . I too never met my grandmother because she also died of breast cancer.  So for me the decision feels right, I want and hope to see my grandchildren, ( not that I am rushing my daughers to have them, lol, they still to young) I want to be there when my daughters have their kids, help them with babysittying, see the girls get married.

Plus I know every time if something goes wrong down there I would worry if it is cancer so I would rather get rid of this risk.

It is an extremely hard decison to make. The doctors have advised me that I will get a whole lot of different symptoms with menopause through hysterectomy.  Plus everywhere around me is happy pregnant people, not that I am planning more, but once the surgery is done, there is no changing my mind. 

Only you can decide whats best for you. 

Good luck with your decision.

Dot xxx

I initially thought that I would do exactly what the docs recommended to give me that peace of mind but now i don't know if it is obtainable. One of my cousins had BC in her 30's and she is now 65 and has just found out she now has BC for the second time. She did everything they recommended and you would think that after 30 odd years that you would be clear of ever having to worry about if but not the case. Is it just luck of the draw or can we really increase our chances of survival?

I got pretty much the same response from the males in my family too. i think they were trying to be supportive. I don't want to let cancer rob me of my life but also of the life I want to live and things won't be the same if I have the surgeries and then there is a whole new set of potential health problem having your ovaries removed. Until I found out I had BC i had hardly been sick a day in my life so I guess I find it so hard to handle and being the control freak I am I feel like I have lost control of ME.

I hope you are feeling better after finishing radiation. I finished just before christmas and was still a little sort and sorry over new year but once the burn starts to heal it heals very quickly and you will feel so so much better.

take care

Cheryl

Hi Renata

I have a large family history of BC with 7 maternal first cousins all with BC. The three suvivoring cousins (inc myself) and 1 deceased cousin have all tested positive for this variant. The docs are recommending removal of my ovaries and tubes as a precaution and the genetic counsellor has also recommend that my mum at 77 , have her ovaries removed as well. Mum has said she is not going to have the op. but I have three children and my youngest is only 5 and I keep thinking about not being around for her. My sister died at age 37 leaving a then 5 and 7 year old and I know how hard it has been for them even though they have so much family around , it is just not the same as having your mum. So is it worth the risk to not have the op??????? i just don't know

Hi,

I had genetic testing aswell and like you I did not have the BRAC1 or 2 mutation but an abnormality in my BRAC2 gene. I was hoping for a more defiante answer.They compared it to others worldwide and said it probably had nothing to do with getting cancer but could not a 100% garauntee it. I am not having my ovaries removed as it is important to have oestrogen for bone density and brain function and maybe a possibility for another child but I am looking into having my breasts removed and a reconstruction at the end of the year so I want be worried for the next 30 years or so about getting a new breast cancer. Did you doctors suggest removing your ovaries or is that your decision alone?

I am like you and in limbo since my treatment finished in august. I keep myself busy and have returned to work and slowly doing some of the things I have always wanted to. I also go to counselling which has helped me a great deal. I suppose it gets easier as time passes. I am feeling healthy and happy at the moment and that to me is a good sign.

Good luck with whatever desicision you make.

Renata

Hey Tintin, I am trying to make the same decission as you it has been recommended I have my overies out and consider having my other breast removed. I only finished radiation yesterday so I am going to heal from that first and have some councelling from the cancer council starting today. I am not sure if you are aware that you get 5 sessions bulk billed.  I have discussed what to do with my husband and in typical male though he said well you dont need the overies and the breast is just skin LOL. But at the end of the day I think if it is going to save my life and allow me to be here for my kids to see them marry and have their own kids one day then it is a small sacrifice. I am 45 and too young to die, I am not going to let Cancer rob me of the life experiences I am yet to experience.  Well I just read back what I have said it it looks like I have made my decission LOL. Good luck with your decission and remember the cancer council have psychologists who will listen and help. Kathryne

Hi Tintin,  gee it  would be so hard to decide what to do when you have completed  everything the medical world  has to offer, and  yet there is still more in your mind that can be done to protect you. You have been through so much treatment  and now only you can decide if you feel the need to go further and have your other breast removed and ovaries out.  To top it all off you still are no wiser as to the generic testing. It must be driving you crazy you poor darl.   I really don't know what i would do in your case but just try and remember that the medical world has advanced so much in the past 10 years since you lost your sister things would be a lot different now. Maybe if you feel you will never have peace of mind  and would always be  looking over your shoulder (so to speak) while you still had your breast and your ovaries the maybe it would be the right choice to have them removed. It is such a big decision and such a difficult one to have to make. Have you thought of having some counseling  before you make that next decision, as that may help you see more clearly.  Maybe with a medical professional from the Breast Cancer world who would be able to find out more answers for you.  I hope you find the right answers, good luck and take care, Cheers Jo xx

Hi Tintin,  gee it  would be so hard to decide what to do when you have completed  everything the medical world  has to offer, and  yet there is still more in your mind that can be done to protect you. You have been through so much treatment  and now only you can decide if you feel the need to go further and have your other breast removed and ovaries out.  To top it all off you still are no wiser as to the generic testing. It must be driving you crazy you poor darl.   I really don't know what i would do in your case but just try and remember that the medical world has advanced so much in the past 10 years since you lost your sister things would be a lot different now. Maybe if you feel you will never have peace of mind  and would always be  looking over your shoulder (so to speak) while you still had your breast and your ovaries the maybe it would be the right choice to have them removed. It is such a big decision and such a difficult one to have to make. Have you thought of having some counseling  before you make that next decision, as that may help you see more clearly.  Maybe with a medical professional from the Breast Cancer world who would be able to find out more answers for you.  I hope you find the right answers, good luck and take care, Cheers Jo xx