p53 and radiation therapy

@Mrs_H radiation therapy was always a definite for me as I have had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy. It was also just mentioned as a passing comment by my surgeon and has only now become something I need to seriously consider. I spoke with a genetic counsellor this afternoon which has made me feel better about the whole process . I am definitely in the high risk category because of my age but given my lack of family history, fingers crossed, it should be negative. If it comes back positive, skin cancer is definitely a risk but have also been told that new breast cancers may also form. It's a lot to think about and I'm not sure if I will go ahead with the testing yet but I am seriously considering it. If I choose not to do the testing, I don't think they will do radiation which means I will have to have a mastectomy anyway, after all this!

I had my gene test done near end of chemo and wanted results to plan if I would also have ovaries removed even though I was through menopause as I had multiple family members who had ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Surprisingly (and they tested my sample again ) it was negative so no further treatment. It was a wonderful day getting that news. Kath x

@primek It was a quick comment at my first appointment when it was just information overload. The surgeon has recommended a bilateral mastectomy due to age and cancer locations. I just figured it was due to my age and the ovarian cancer risk. I'll be interested to hear if my surgeon gives more info closer to my surgery. Cheers, Jen.

@Mrs_H Yes my surgeon also said it wouldn't change my current treatment but I planned a bilateral mastectomy. Maybe the question is related to ? the risk of skin cancer ...as some gene positive are...or might be related to final treatment decisions...ie if positive would you have mastectomy?. ..Because you might not need radiotherapy in that case ..and it can impact on reconstruction options.  Kath x

How interesting. I'm 29 and cancer in both breasts. My surgeon suggested genetic testing as something to look into down the track but didn't indicate it would affect treatment options. Having said that, I haven't done surgery yet. Had to do Chemo first. Cheers, Jen.

Better to know so you can be pro-active in all treatment and know any risks that can be passed to your child. It is a simple test. You are explained your risks and given support and have the results in 8 weeks. Kath x

@CourtneyBianca - It was a little overwhelming for me at my genetics appointment, I think as it was so fresh at the start and I was full of info from every other appointment and being so young it is scary. Everyone said highly unlikely given no family history but at the age of 30 BC is not overly common compared to older woman, so my surgeon said we will do it to rule it out, but it will give me peace of mind. They say 90% of BC are random, 5-10% are causes of genetics. But at least if it is done, it will be better to know the right path of treatment 100%. Chemo you would still have regardless that wouldn't change if someone had a BRAC gene, it would just be radiation that could change. A simple blood test, you don't need to do anything else it pretty straight forward, they do all the work. Oh, good luck with Chemo, my hair started to fall out within my first round, in the 2 week mark, little strands here and there. I let my hair fall out more so I could get use to seeing my bald scalp, so it wasn't so full on shaving it with a full head of hair haha so use to it now it's crazy. Thank you! I still have a year of treatment to go as my BC is hormonal. But I rather get hit aggressively with treatment to know it will never come back. You will get there, it will go quicker than you think xxx

Hi @MelissaD I think that's why I found it so strange and overwhelming when I was told I had to last week, genetic testing was mentioned but only ever as something I could consider if I wanted to later on. Since there is absolutely no family history, I didn't think i would bother with it. It just felt like yet another dr's appt and I'm a bit over them already! I will just have to get myself organised and get on with it. I hope your results come back all clear, fingers crossed for you. And best wishes for your last chemo session! I've only just started, hair has just started to fall out today. Looking forward to the last one :) x

Hi Courtney, I am 30 also & strange you never got tested before chemo as being so young it's routine to check, cross all I's & T's. I have no family history at all & overall C is very rare. I had blood test and whilst doing chemo (1 more to go) waiting for results, usually take 8 weeks or so & im ready to get my results on Tuesday. If someone was to test positive, it possible that someone may not need radiation, because there could be more surgery options, like many might chose to have a mastectomy if they had BRAC gene. Despite no family history I would get blood test for peace of mind to rule it out x