BRCA positive

[Williams76]

Well not sure where to start. Well last year my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and did the BRCA testing hers came back negative. I work in a family practice and we have started doing genetic testing so I decided I would be tested not really feeling anything BUT yesterday I got me test results and I am BRCA positive. Now I have a lot to decide. Can anyone please help? I have NOT been diagnosed with cancer yet but my risk are very high please help

[VicReg Partner]

It's a lot to take in, I know, it's also not surprising that your sister was BRCA negative, while you're positive. Genetics are a tricky like that. You can speak to a genetic counselor to learn what options you have as well as your risk rate. While being BRCA positive does put you at higher risk, it does not mean you will end up with a diagnosis. I suggest doing research and discussing your options with your doctor.

[Williams76]

I am speaking with a doctor to see what me options are in June. I am trying to think of questions I need to ask when I meet her. Or any web sites I can do research on this.

[VicReg Partner in reply to Williams76]

You can start by asking what it means for your health, what your risk rate is, preventative options. I would recommend seeing a genetic counselor that may want to know more about your family geneogram, going back a minimum of three generations. NationalBreastCancer.org has some information.

nationalbreastcancer.org/wh...

[flajo in reply to Williams76]

Absolutely, speak with a genetic counselor. Be aware: There are different risks associated with BRCA1 vs. BRCA2 mutations, so make sure to get the info relevant to your specific situation. There are also "BRCA mutations of unknown significance"!

When I spoke with a genetic counselor, I asked her: "If a woman comes in and she's, say, in her 60s [older than I am], and she's just discovered that she has a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation, what do you tell her?"

The counselor said, "We advise her to remove her ovaries."

OK! That said to me that the older we get, the less important doctors think it is to preventatively remove our breasts; though preventative ovarian removal will always be on the table.

You will also want to figure out how and how often you should be screening for other risks, such as skin cancer.

But don't let anyone tell you that a BRCA mutation means immediate preventative removal of various organs. It doesn't have to go that way. Ask many questions, including the ones they might not be expecting you to ask.

[Williams76 in reply to flajo]

That’s my problem. I work for Family medical and I feel I might not know what to ask. I am only 37 with no children so I am scared😵. I am scared I am going to walk out not knowing any more then I do now.

[VicReg Partner in reply to Williams76]

The fact is, this is a personal decision but here are a few questions you could ask:

What does this mean for you specifically?

How does this impact you in terms of risk and prevention?

Does the doctor recommend preventative surgery?

If so, how much will these surgeries reduce your risk of developing cancer?

What are your surgical options?