What do people know about genetic muta... - Breast Cancer India
What do people know about genetic mutations that may be related to breast and ovarian cancer? How can one get genetic testing done in India?
A very important question, Shikha; which, I believe, the common man is usually not aware of. I will wait to see what people reply.
Honestly, I'm not aware of it. So, i tried Dr. Google; but answers there are very vague. I would like to know about it in detail.
Yes, I talked to a Genetic Counselor and got my BRCA1 and BRCA2 tested. No harmful mutations found as yet. I have still decided to keep my ovaries under check too along with routine mammograms.
If your BRCA1 comes positive I believe there are certain other additions you can do along with your chemo.. Also some take a call for bilateral mastectomy in case they are BRCA1 positive. If BRCA2 positive then there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer too. Some opt for ovaries removal too. Please note that being BRCA1 and 2 positive puts you at an increased risk for getting a fresh recurrence or ovarian cancer..it doesnt make you definitely have it. Angelina Jolie has placed BRCA1 and bilateral mastectomy in the headlines but I wonder if every body who is BRCA positive in India can really afford something as expensive as bilateral mastectomy or ovary removal. I am not even aware if insurance covers such preventive surgeries in India.
I am also not aware of this at all
Go to breastcancer.org and put genetic testing in the search box. There is a lot of information for and against whether genetic testing is a good idea and whether a positive result means more careful monitoring or something more extreme. My cousin had testing done because she has a daughter. Her test came back negative, which is good news for all of the women in our family. A woman in a support group I attended had testing done and was very upset that she had. Hers came back positive and her concerns were also for her daughter. It is not an easy decision and one that should be discussed with a genetic counselor before making a decision about having it done. For those who decide to have testing some find that family members want to know the results - I did - while others absolutely do not.
Pat
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