BRCA and recurrence.

[ZenaJ]

Talking to Lily-Anne there doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern to recurrence but can I just ask the ladies that carry the BRCA gene if they have had recurrence? I'm wondering if there's less chance of recurrence if carrying the gene.

[Jen85]

Hi. From my understanding the BRCA genes make it more likely you will get ovarian/breast cancer but reoccurance is possible and sadly fairly common regardless. I suspect stats will become available with time but as BRCA is relatively new finding to be routinely tested for I doubt there is much conclusive dat a available now. I'm BRCA negative and been given same reoccurance odds as everyone else.

[ZenaJ in reply to Jen85]

Thanks Jen85. xx

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Zena,

I’m BRCA negative, but from the reading I have done, there is some evidence that those with the BRCA gene respond better to treatment options, and of course, have a far better response with the PARP inhibitors. So whilst the risk of getting cancer is higher, the treatment options are more effective. I know that doesn’t exactly answer your question about recurrence, but I hope it helps.

Vicki x

[ZenaJ in reply to Yoshbosh]

Thanks Vicki. I'm interested in all the info. Whatever the responses it doesn't really affect any of us really as it all seems so random. I just live for today (and tomorrow). Hope you are feeling well.

Best wishes, Zena x

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Zena. Yr probably already aware Im BRAC2 and have had 2 recurrences in 11.years xx Hope your doing ok. Kathy xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Katmal-UK]

Same as me Kathy but without the recurrences. Sorry you've had them. It doesn't seem to make any difference if our oc was caused because of the gene or not. I was just wondering.

You take care, Zena x

[WorriedHusband]

Here is a link to the most recent study on this question.

journals.lww.com/md-journal...

[Yoshbosh in reply to WorriedHusband]

I knew I’d read about it somewhere!

[ZenaJ in reply to WorriedHusband]

Thanks so much. I've looked through it and it's very interesting. Thanks for replying.

[Suzanne333]

Hi Zena. I’m BRCA2 positive. I’m on third line in two years. I think it’s pot luck. Or pot unluck xxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Suzanne333]

Completely agree Suzanne. It does look that way. xx

[evemaria52]

Hi, I am BRCA II positive and have had one recurrence since my original diagnosis, surgery, and chemotherapy treatment.

[ZenaJ in reply to evemaria52]

Thanks. It doesn't look as if it makes any difference with the recurrence whether we have the BRCA gene or not. xx

[Lewisriley47]

Hi I am braca negative and on 3rd recurrence in 5 and three quarter years, so I don't think there is a pattern to it.Best wishes Pam x

[ZenaJ in reply to Lewisriley47]

I don't think so either Pam. Thanks for your reply. xx

[Boot1947]

BRCA1 positive, Stage 3a, no recurrence in 4 years (fingers crossed!). Deb x

[ZenaJ in reply to Boot1947]

..and toes and legs.

Great news Deb, long may it continue. Zena xx

[LittleSan]

BRCA negative diagnosed 7 years ago with one recurrence and just about to be treated for another. Xx

[ZenaJ in reply to LittleSan]

Oh no, Little San. How did you know it was back? xx

[LittleSan in reply to ZenaJ]

I'd had niggly pains in my pelvis but it was routine ca125 and then CT that confirmed both recurrences. X

[ZenaJ in reply to LittleSan]

Lucky you had the niggly pains. It's been a worry to me how I would know if I had a recurrence as I had no symptoms last time. Mine was found by luck. I had something else wrong and it was found during the examination for that. As I had stage 3C I'm lucky I'm still here. x

[Bubbles-1]

Hi there.. brca1, diagnosed Jan 2015 3c.

1 recurrence after 20 months, now on parp inhibitor.

Michelle xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Bubbles-1]

Thanks Michelle, sorry to hear you had recurrence. Best wishes for a good recovery. xx

[grammeejill]

Hi, ZenaJ. Good question, but I really have no clue. I'll need to read that article WH posted. I am BRCA negative. 3B .No recurrence after 3 years. Fingers crossed, of course.

[ZenaJ in reply to grammeejill]

I think we've all got everything crossed. It does look as if if makes no difference to recurrence whether we carry the gene or not. Perhaps further studies over a longer period will come up with the answer. I sometimes think there are no answers. It's just luck. xx

[GINI-54]

Hi, I’m brcca 1 positive and 3 months after my treatment for ovarian finished they discovers on my scan that I had 2nd breast plus the ovarian is back in my lymph nodes. I think I’ve just been unlucky though.

[ZenaJ in reply to GINI-54]

I'm so sorry to hear that. You certainly have been unlucky. It's so random. I'm wondering if life style makes any difference but that would be really difficult to find out and there are no real answers to the BRCA question. Come to think of it there are no real answers to why we get it in the first place. I'm going to contradict myself now as I was told it was the BCRA gene that caused my oc.

Wishing you luck for the future. Zena x

[JanePW1965]

Hi Zena. My mum had her debulking and chemo (Carbo/Taxol) in 2014 and recurred quite quickly by Jan 15. She had Caelyx and then was quite steady for around 18 months then the beast woke up again and she had Carbo/Taxol again and the first three month check was good then the second. It is now 10 months since she finished her last chemo and she is seeing the onc this morning. I'll be on the edge of my seat until I hear from her. I'm praying the beast is still asleep. She doesn't seem to have any symptoms but she didn't when she recurred the first time. She took part in the genetic testing and found she didn't have the BRCA gene. Jane X

[ZenaJ]

Thanks Jane for replying. There's no logic to this recurrence as far as I can see. Sorry to hear about your mum. Let us know how she gets on this morning. Think positive thoughts.

Zena x