Hi ladiesI'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 ovarian or breast cancer. Should I be requesting for a test.. or is that only reserved for those who pose as high risk.

I paid for genetic test seven years ago which found a BRCA 1 'variant' of unknown significance at that time. Now they are saying it does not give an increased risk. However with grandmother, mother and sister having had breast cancer, and now myself (following DCIS in the same breast seven years ago) I'm not sure I am convinced!

@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

Be sure to check your male lineage as well. And not only the women for breast and ovarian cancer. Look out for males with breast or prostate cancer. My mum died aged 40 and I have breast and prostate cancer. I qualified for the genetic test and the result was a BRCA1 mutation but with a variation of unknown significance (VUS). With my two adult children, my daughter is in a screening program, but my son has to fend for himself. This needs to change. Breast cancer is genderless and all sexes with two primary relatives having cancer should qualify for screening.

Remain unconvinced Daisies. There are thousands of VUS and, since, they can’t know what they mean, they don’t make any clinical decisions based on them. One day we’ll know what many of them mean, I hope.

I was diagnosed at 56 & because I had a cousin who was diagnosed at 25 forty years ago I was offered testing for free with no counselling which I accepted as I have a daughter. The tests were negative. I am not sure what the cost would be, it probably varies. I think it should be offered to all under 40 for free.

Who has to test for BRCA Gene | BCNA Online Network

primek
Member
6 years ago
And don't forget to consider your fathers side. ..his sister, mother etc.
primek
Member
6 years ago
Usually free testing is offered if you have 2 direct relatives...like Mum and Aunt with bc.
However they often di test young women with tnbc to ensure no gene. You can be referred to a genetic counsellor who can asses your genetic risk, offer testing if appropriate and counsel as needed. Much better than just a GP doing bloods.
strongtogether
Member
6 years ago
Are you concerned about passing the mutation on?
Pinkcloverss
Member
6 years ago
@strongtogether I've just been reading quite a few cases of women who have tested positive to the brca gene and didnt have a family history.. were pretty youngish themselves at diagnosis so it just made me wonder..
Glemmis
Member
6 years ago
I was diagnosed at 56 & because I had a cousin who was diagnosed at 25 forty years ago I was offered testing for free with no counselling which I accepted as I have a daughter. The tests were negative. I am not sure what the cost would be, it probably varies. I think it should be offered to all under 40 for free.
strongtogether
Member
6 years ago
You can get tested if you like, but it will probably not be funded. Youd have to get genetic counseling first which would also not be funded. Why do you want to get tested? Is it actually going to change your course of action?

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