Who has to test for BRCA Gene
Hi ladies I'm 34 and got diagnosed with stage 2 IDC (clear margins lumpectomy, no lymph nodes involved). I've never been asked about testing for the BRCA gene. I have no family history of any time of...
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@Pinkcloverss I had DCIS Dec. 2017, stage 1 but aggressive, lumpectomy & clear margins. I was advised by my medical team to have the BRCA gene test done as my mum died of ovarian cancer at 46 y.o.. She is the only relative I had with cancer but as it was my mum & she had it so young, I was able to get the test done for free. As has been said above, you have to "qualify", to get it done for free otherwise, you do have to pay. My surgeon did all the ground work for me & advised that I was eligible so your surgeon could do the same. You could also ring the genetics team direct. I had many, many phone calls with them to check in on me & help me with my decision making. They are very thorough.
My rad onc didnt want to begin my radiation treatment until my test was done as depending on the result, it may have altered my course of treatment. If I was positive, I may have wanted to consider a mastectomy to reduce the re-occurrence risk & breast reconstruction is made more difficult after rad treatment as it effects the skin/deep tissue so much. Luckily, my test was negative so things went to plan.
It was a very hard & stressful time with so many ??????. You do have a LOT of paperwork to complete along with an ENORMOUS family tree to complete stating ALL your relatives/cousins & their medical history/DOB/address etc. They use this info to match up with any other of your relatives that may have done the test, sort of joining the dots!! I remember ringing a cousin & asking her help! You then have to see a counselor to discuss what you would do depending on the results & then the simplest of all, having the 1 minute blood test!
My result came through very quickly in about a week as they knew my rad treatment was waiting on the result. The counsellor will ring you with the result. Good luck & if you are eligible, i would recommend doing the test as info is power & it may effect you & your family down the track when it comes to medical decisions. love & hugs xx
My rad onc didnt want to begin my radiation treatment until my test was done as depending on the result, it may have altered my course of treatment. If I was positive, I may have wanted to consider a mastectomy to reduce the re-occurrence risk & breast reconstruction is made more difficult after rad treatment as it effects the skin/deep tissue so much. Luckily, my test was negative so things went to plan.
It was a very hard & stressful time with so many ??????. You do have a LOT of paperwork to complete along with an ENORMOUS family tree to complete stating ALL your relatives/cousins & their medical history/DOB/address etc. They use this info to match up with any other of your relatives that may have done the test, sort of joining the dots!! I remember ringing a cousin & asking her help! You then have to see a counselor to discuss what you would do depending on the results & then the simplest of all, having the 1 minute blood test!
My result came through very quickly in about a week as they knew my rad treatment was waiting on the result. The counsellor will ring you with the result. Good luck & if you are eligible, i would recommend doing the test as info is power & it may effect you & your family down the track when it comes to medical decisions. love & hugs xx