hi my mum has ppc been told its not hereditary thou she is being tested for it??? i have had stage 2 pre cancererous cervical cells which

[jeltm]

were removed 2 years ago!! also have polyscistic overies for the past 13 years! question is do you think its worth being tested for the brac1 and brac2 gene and paying the money for it. thankyou in advance x

[Hidden]

Hi

Cervical cancer and ovarian cancer are very different cancers, so the treatment and prognosis is different....... PPC and Ovarian cancer are classed and treated the same.

I would think as your mum is being tested for an hereditary gene then it might be best to wait and see what the result of her test is.

But you coulld give the nurse led ovacome helpline a ring and they may be able to advise you.

Tel [phone] or 0207 299 6650 (office hours only)

Best wishes love x G x

[sharonforce]

I tested positive for the BRCA mutation after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer although it wasn't immediately obvious from my family history. I had to request genetic counselling myself. Having a BRCA mutation increases your risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as some other cancers. Also knowing whether you have the genetic mutation may influence the type of treatment you receive for your cancer. Macmillan have an online tool called OPERA where you can check your genetic risk: macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfo... Testing for a genetic mutation has many implications and therefore you will be advised to see a genetic counsellor to discuss this before going for the BRCA test.

If someone tests positive for a BRCA mutation there is a 50/50 chance of any of their children inheriting the genetic mutation.

Happy to answer any questions you may have. I run a support group for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer so, although only about 10 per cent of ovarian cancers are thought to be genetic, I do know many ladies with BRCA mutations.

best wishes

Sharon