Hi
Today I would like to talk about being tested for gene mutations related to breast cancer. The are called the BRAC1 and BRAC2.
Since my mother has had breast cancer and both of her sisters have had breast cancer, I am kinda of worried that I may have the BRAC1 or the BRAC2 gene mutation.
As I understand it a mutation of those genes increases your lifetime risk of breast cancer from an average of 13% (this is what an average persons risks are) to 85%. The risk of ovarian cancer also soars from 2% (for average) to 50%.
Some women are having their (healthy) breasts removed and reconstructed after learning that they have the gene mutation. I am thinking very seriously about having this testing done but I need to be able to handle the answer and not go crazy with worry.
If I decided to have my breasts removed (provided that I had the gene mutation) and rebuilt, I doubt that my insurance company would pay for it. They would only pay if I got cancer. I can’t stand the thoughts of going thru all the poisons being put into my body. I have seen too much of that since my dad had colon cancer.
I would like to hear some other thoughts on this subject. I sometimes get bogged down with my own thoughts and can’t see the forest for the trees. If anyone reading this would post their comments and thoughts I would appreciate it.
Thanks for reading
Sandy
Hi
I saw your post after googling “mother tested positive for Brac2″.
I don’t see any posts… how did you make out? Did you test positive or negative for the gene?
I’m 34, my mother (who is brac2 +) had bc twice, her sister died from it. I got tested today. I’m waiting about a week or two for my results & will go from there.
On item they told me today was that if I do test positive they recommend ovaries and tubes removed at 40.
Just wanted to here your story and you decisions.
By: H Mae on September 8, 2008
at 12:52 pm
Hi Mae,
Thanks for your response. I must say that I have not been gene tested, yet. I’m really scared to do this. I applaud your proactive approach and would like for you to post here as soon as you get your results.
One of my aunts has been in the fight for her life for several years. She is in hospice care right now. She managed to make it after breast removal by using a special diet where just about everything was juiced. She stayed cancer free for several years. Last year she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She will not beat this I’m afraid. It has spread everywhere. I pray for her daily.
My other aunt has breast cancer that has spread to her rib area. So far my mom’s breast cancer has not returned.
How is your insurance handling this? That is one of my biggest concerns about having this testing done. You can’t put a price on your life, but they try.
I hope you feel like sharing your experience so that we may help someone who is suffering alone or that may follow your example and get tested.
I’ll pray for you.
Sandy
By: sandraprice on September 8, 2008
at 1:43 pm
I am 42 years old. I found out today that I tested positive for BRAC2. Both my mom and sister are breast cancer survivors. My mom also has survived colon cancer. My Aunt on my father’s side died of ovarian cancer when she was in her seventies. My dad had melanoma, but he ultimately died of heart failure at the age of 80.
With this news today, I plan to educate myself further regarding percentages and options aside from surgery. With the information I have heard from my doctor and researched as of tonight, I am seriously considering removing my ovaries. I am single and I do not plan to have children. I suppose this makes the decision a bit easier, yet I still have difficulty in removing body parts based on percentages from research published to date. I will continue to research how these percentages were derived. For instance, did the control group also drink and smoke excessively? Did the control group have poor eating habits? Did the control group exercise? I look at a glass half full, not empty, so at this point, I am not convinced that I will get cancer in my lifetime.
The interesting thing to note is that every single time I have had rough times due to cancer’s presence and challenges in my family, I have seen rainbows in the sky – the very moments of the bad news or contemplation of the bad news. This has been 100% of the time, not 13%, not 87%. Even tonight, on my way home from work, when I was explaining my test results to my mom on the phone, I saw a rainbow. 100% is no coincidence.
With this said, at the end of the day, and the beginning, I know everything will be OK. If my life plan includes cancer, then so be it.
The threat of cancer is certainly a clear a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment of every single day.
~t
By: tea on September 18, 2008
at 7:57 pm
Hi Tea,
Thanks so much for having a say on this blog. I am sorry to hear about your positive test for Brac2. I believe that you have the right approach in this situation. Anyone and everyone should, no make that MUST do research about their health problems.
So many people just rely on what their doctor says. Most of the time they are not as educated about new techniques and cures and probably don’t have the time to research as someone with a vested interest in your health…YOU, might do.
On another note, I get gut feelings about things whether good or bad. It is so nice to talk to someone who actually gets a sign, a real physical sign about those things, like your rainbows. Having positive emotions is a great first start on your future.
Please let us know how you progress and what decisions you make.
Sandy
By: SandraPrice on September 20, 2008
at 8:13 am
Hi Sandy, I was just talking about this with my husband last night and doing some googling now I came across your site. I hope you don’t mind me saying so but it sounds like it would be worth you looking into insurance and cost options given your family history. If you know either way then you have options, more options than if it were to sneak up on you later on. You can’t change what you genes are but you can be informed and give yourself more avenues for dealing with it, either way. These are just my thoughts…I hope you are able to make a decision you feel comfortable with.
By: Louisa on September 29, 2008
at 5:44 am
Sandy,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 48. (3 years ago). No one in my family had been diagnosed to this point. The last few weeks, my Mom who is 78 was diagnosed. She took the Brac test and came back positive for Brac1. Naturally, my doctors are very concerned and wanted me to test also. I submitted the test and am waiting for results. What I understand that made me want to test is that if you are positve, the doctors have more options of testing that help prevent and/or detect cancer much earlier than in most cases. To me, this will be helpful. Not sure if i am ready to start taking off more body parts, but it is a start. I know it is a hard choice, but with your background, I think it is important to know. Good Luck whatever decision you choose.
By: Nadine on October 1, 2008
at 8:17 am
My test results just came back positive for BRAC1.
My mom passed away at 44 and her mom and 2 aunts both passed away at young ages from BC.
I have seen a genetic councelor two weeks ago and have an appt scheduled to talk about my ovaries coming out as soon as possible.
I have recieved alot of info from facingourrisk.org/ . Good luck to all
By: lisa on November 5, 2008
at 11:08 am
My grandmother got ovarian cancer last year, went through surgery, chemo and survived. She turns 88 tomorrow. She tested positive for the BRAC 2 mutation. She has three daughters. Her oldest tested negative, her youngest tested positive. My mom is the middle daughter and died of colorectal cancer at the age of 48. My genetic counselor believes it is unrelated to the mutation. I took the test and found out today I am positive for the mutation. I am 32 years old. I am not sure what I am going to do. I obviously will get my ovaries removed by or at 40, but I have reservations about the mastectomy surgery. I do not have children and have not decided 100% if I want to. I always thought I would but am not ready to have any right now. Also do I want to pass this mutation on? Will I have major regrets later? I don’t know what to do. Not only am I BRAC 2 positive but my moms colorectal cancer at an early age (they don’t start testing people until age 50) ups my chances of getting other cancers as drastically.
By: Amy Russell on January 23, 2009
at 7:02 am
Amy, thanks for your comments. You do have some major decisions to make concerning your future. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. This blog was created as an outlet for people just like you. Maybe just knowing you are not alone in making those tough decisions and seeing how others handled their situation will give some insight or at least some comfort. On another note, I believe that you can have a colonoscopy at an earlier age than 50 since your mom had it. I can relate, my dad died of colorectal cancer. They left a little bit of the cancer when he had surgery and spent the rest of his life with prostate problems. I believe the cancer was actually behind the prostate, in the pelvic area. I have had a colonoscopy and am due for another one in a couple of years. I have to have one every 5 years. I was asleep the entire time and it took about 20 minutes. So, please ask your doctor if you are eligible to have a colonoscopy now. Don’t count on your doctor to keep up with everything. You should continue to research for yourself. It is your life, take control. My prayers and best wishes are with you.
By: SandraPrice on January 23, 2009
at 1:24 pm