Genetic Testing

Hello all,

Having had breast cancer on two previous occasions (2001 and a recurrence in 2004) and now being treated for Ovarian (June 2015) I am having genetic testing for BRCA gene.  As I have a daughter and a granddaughter, I'm concerned that if I have the mutant gene it will be passed to them.

Has anyone undergone this test?

Juliet

[Hidden]

Hi Juliett, I cant really answer you on this one.  However since my OC diagnosis, three of my first cousins have been diagnosed with Cancer.  Two sisters one had Pancreatic Cancer and the other recently Breast Cancer.  My other cousin from my mothers side also had breast Cancer and a sibling with sarcoma.   So that is my next question for my oncologist.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Suzuki.

[Missfitz]

Hi Juliet. I had this test done 4 years ago. It's a blood test and results took about 12 weeks I think. I also had a counselling session prior to the test to consider what either a positive or a negative result might mean to me and my family. 

[Hidden in reply to Missfitz]

Thanks!

[HogwartsDK]

Hey Juliet,

I have been referred for the genetic testing too as both myself and my sister were diagnosed almost in the same year and we were both in our early 40s. As I understand it it's a simple blood test but there is some counselling beforehand in order to support the decision making that may be required should the test be positive.  My sisters onc seems to believe that we will be positive so much so that she has decided to get her ovaries removed even before the results (she had breast cancer, I'm the one with OC). 

Dx

[Hidden in reply to HogwartsDK]

Thank Dx.

I went to the genetic oncologist yesterday and in his opinion it's unlikely that I have a mutant gene (BRCA 1 or BRCA2) due to the fact that there is little incidence of death by cancer in my family and my parents' siblings.  However, I am a candidate for testing with my history of breast and OC.  I will have the test through the public healthcare (it costs €1400 to have it done privately) in about 7 months' time with results a few months after that. So, if the test comes back positive, my daughter( who is 33) has a 50% change that she has inherited this gene and she will get tested.  If it's a negative result, she is still a higher risk of getting breast and/or OC and she should start getting screening for BC at age 35 instead of 50.  When I asked about the CA125 test, he said it is not a good measure to detect OC, as CA125 levels can be elevated for various reasons. If one already has OC, then the test is relevant. He also suggested she could have her ovaries removed in the future (before menopause).

Juliet

[annieH1]

Hi Juliet55,I had the genetic test done and I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene.My siblings and nephews and nieces are waiting for their results and my eldest son is being tested next week.I think once I tested positive it was a relief for the rest of the family as now if they are positive they will be screened regularly and risk reduction operations advised.At least some if not all of my family and extended family will now have less risk of developing certain cancers ,so the book stops with me.xx 

[Hairlessbeauty]

Hi, 

I'm carrying the brca 1. My mum,  granny,  grand aunt,  and grand grand mother had breast cancer.  I had generic test done in 2001 when my mum got a cancer.  Since that time I'm a patient in breast clinic in St James's Hospital in Dublin.  Unfortunately doctors never thought about ovarian cancer.  I was diagnosed with oc stage 3c in February 2015. Went through 10 hours very extensive surgery and 6 sessions of chemo.  Finished chemo in August last year.  I'm OK now,  but any pain in my body is giving me heart attack and panic that cancer is back.  

If you wish to read my story about my journey through the cancer please read My Story on my website hairlessbeauty.ie

Take care and best wishes

Zaneta 

[Hidden in reply to Hairlessbeauty]

Thanks Zaneta - I read your story and I empathise! But try not worry too much about cancer returning....we can all only hope for the best with our diagnosis.........

Juliet