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

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Comments

  • kgross8400
    kgross8400 Member Posts: 1
    #22
    should you get tested
    Yes, you should but it is your decision. You do not have to go through all those surgeries that they are saying and you do not have to go on the pill. I didn't as the pill made me very sick. The thing is you already assume you have it. So, if you are negative then it will be a piece of mind. Next if you are positive now you can go to prevenative care. No surgeries. Your insurance will now cover preventage test that they would not cover. I am brca2 pos. and my sister was too. She didn't know until after she had cancer. I found out at 36. My mom died at 50 with ovarian cancer diagnosised at age 48. I go to Md Anderson every 6 weeks. I havent removed my breast. They feel that my mom problems got cancer at 45 and wanted me to have surgery to remove my ovaries by 45. I did it at 43. I am from Alabama. Knowing and having proof i get to go out there every 6 months to get screen. I get screened with and mri one visit and 6 months later a mammogram then 6 months later mri and so on.. I have regular pap smears but I do a ca125 test that checks the protein in your blood for ovarian cancers if it is elevated that is a red flag and I have a vaginal ultrasound every six months. with out getting tested this would not be available for me. I was doing breast mri's 5 years before it got to birmingham alabama at uab. I also had surgery and they saved my life with precancer cells then ones that 95 percent of the time turns in to cancer and we got it just in time. Like I said it is your choice but remember you already assume you don't have to have surgery you can do preventage tests.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #23
    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.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #24
    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.

    Over 2 Years Old
    Have you ladies noticed that this topic is over 2 years old? I believe the OP has made her decision by now, and may not even be checking in here anymore.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #25
    anicca said:

    Over 2 Years Old
    Have you ladies noticed that this topic is over 2 years old? I believe the OP has made her decision by now, and may not even be checking in here anymore.

    I didn't even notice the
    I didn't even notice the date. This happens on the breast cancer forum too...and we get so involved with the post, and concerned, that we miss looking at the date. Hope she made the right choice and that she is happy.

    Hope you're doing well.
  • lisazee
    lisazee Member Posts: 12
    #26
    anicca said:

    Over 2 Years Old
    Have you ladies noticed that this topic is over 2 years old? I believe the OP has made her decision by now, and may not even be checking in here anymore.

    Still here
    Hi ladies,

    I was checking in tonight and saw some recent comments. My mom passed away in December and I am quite sure I'm in the throes of major depression. Going to see someone soon. Before she died I had the most beautiful baby boy who is my world. I am so sad he will grow up not remembering my mom.

    I never took the test. I have decided that next year is the year. I'm going to focus on losing some weight, getting life insurance, and taking care of this little guy. I'm not emotionally in any kind of place to deal with any other emotional issues right now. I miss my mom... And am so profoundly sad.

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