Mom is BRCA2 positive, I don't know if I want to get tested

LoveBabyJesus said:

DX wit bc at 32 and WHY you should...
Hi – I belong to the breast cancer forum and often check up on my other sisters (all of you). I felt the need to respond to your post because we are about the same age, have similar history and have no kids. I was dx at 32 last year. My grandmom died of ovarian cancer (in her 60’s), my great-grandmother died of breast, very young. I was always concerned about my health because of my family history (great-uncles had also been dx with other cancers) so I felt the need to always check myself. I found my lump last year and demanded further testing. Went through lumpectomy, chemo, rad, and now taking a 5 years pill called tamoxifen, which may put me at a higher risk for uterine cancer (and ovary-related issues). I have no choice but to take my treatment with courage and faith.

I decided to test for both genes because of my diagnosis. Both tested negative BUT, I still got breast cancer. I don’t have any kids so I decided to harvest my eggs. I can decide to become a mother (which is risky) later or have a surrogate mother have my child. But at least eggs are there.

I think it is VERY important you get tested because this will give you a better perspective about what to do in your present life/situation, and plan your future accordingly. Preventive measures are nice, especially when you are educated about the choices and can gather some facts. Honestly? I would get tested if I were you. Why? So you can be pro-active about your future. You can save your eggs before surgery (or embryos) so you and your husband can become parents. That can still be a possibility, but most importantly, you can be proactive about your health. No one guarantees anything in life, but if there’s technology available to help us prevent certain situations, why not take advantage of them and be safe?

I think knowing is better than not. I personally wouldn't want to go through life knowing I could have prevented something.

Like everyone else said, this is your decision. But I thought you may want to hear from someone your age, who doesn’t have any kids either and who has a history of cancers in her family. I hope God guides you to making the right decision.

BTW, breast and ovarian cancers relate. There hasn't been solid research about this, but researchers are looking into birth control pills in relationship to breast cancer. The pill itself may not cause it, BUT estrogen can be mean sometimes. My breast cancer was fed by my estrogen (99% estrogen +). Something to think about. Be careful with birth control pills. These can change the chemistry of your body allowing your estrogen levels to go crazy. This is not always an advantage in women.

Good luck!

P.S. My mom tested for both genes too. Her breast gene was negative. Her ovarian gene was inconclusive.