Can anyone shed some light on the BRCA test?

butterflylvr said:

Yes it's a test to check to
Yes it's a test to check to see if you show positive for the BC gene. I chose not to have it done myself as I have no children, and my two sisters are slightly younger then my age. I have no nieces, so nobody really benefited from me having to do it. You can still have it done but don't be surprised if your insurance company doesn't pay for it.

Lorrie

BMS said:

BRCA Test
I just had the blood draw for this test. I am the first in my family with breast cancers and have no sisters or daughters. So why did my MO want it done? Well, based on certain nationalities (Ashkenazi Jews which is Eastern European) have a higher chance of recurrence. So my MO said knowing if I have the gene will better help in my care and monitoring going forward. It's a very expensive test that not all insurance companies will cover.

Bonnie

aisling8 said:

No daughters
But the onc wanted it done because my mother died of breast cancer and I was told if I tested positive, I should definitely have my ovaries removed and consider bilateral mastectomy as a prophylactic measure. I was also told that testing positive dramatically increased my chance of recurrence. Again, this is what my onc told me and I'm in no way trying to pretend to be a doctor:)

My results were negative, thank goodness.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

xo
Victoria

Dee said:

BRCA testing
Hi Wanda,

I have had the BRCA test and got results yesterday - positive for BRCA2. It was a simple bloodtest and results took 5 weeks to come back (Im in NZ)

I had the test as 2 of my Mum's cousins and her sister have had breast cancer and as I am 30 years old my onc thought there was a high chance the cause was a BRCA gene...turns out he was right! For them BRCA was not considered as they were all over 50 when dx,but now that I have tested positive its a whole new ball game...I have an 8 year old daughter and 11 year old son too..so they have a 50/50 chance that they have also inhearated it...which for me has been the hardest thing to deal with...

I have had a masectomy on the right and will have the left done when they take out my port once Im done with chemo.

The more dangerous cancer however is the ovairian and there are not any proven effective screening methods currently available - especially for a BRCA carrier who is at high risk of developing this. I have been referred to both screening specialists and surgeons and after talking to them I will need to decide if I also want to have ovaries and falliopin tubes removed.

The thing that i have found most difficult is the lack of research and agreement on the best course of action for BRCA carriers but have recently found a SUPER website that has more info on it and has really helped me to understand more (www.facingourrisk.org)

I wish you all the best with your decision and please do shout out if you want to talk further...my Mum and my sister will be having the test in the next few weeks (sis 28 with no kids and Mum post menopausal)

Dee

Pink_Lady_2008 said:

BRAC TEST
I had the test done when I was diagnosed May 2008 and I have the BRAC2, breast and ovarian. The test was done at the request my oncologist because my Mom is a 11yr survivor and she wanted to see if there was a connection. I beleive she did this because I have two young girls. But I was told that is does not mean that my girls will have the gene too.

This test helps with treatment. Since I have the BRAC2 I decided to have both breast and my ovaries removed to increase my survival rate.

When they are old enough the decision will be theirs on whether they want to know or not. They are aware that early detection is important.

The test can be done at anytime. It's a simple blood test and the results take take about a month or so to get back.