Questions re BRCA testing

BethL

I have been getting uterine and ovarian ultrasounds for the last couple of months. I am on Tamoxifen, have been since october 05. I have new fibroids and ovarian cysts, all which seem b9. My GYN had a GYN ONC look at my u/s for an opinion. She suggested I be tested for the BRCA gene since I have been having regular menstrual cycles throughout all of this. I cant figure out what the correlation is there. Any ideas?

She also said that if it was positive, I should have my ovaries removed.

My cancer was DCIS with Microinvasive IDC, ER/PR +. I've read that BRCA is more likely present in women who have had ER negative cancer. Is that true?

Another question - what is the difference between BRCA1 and BRCA2? I realize they're different genes, but do they represent different types of cancer?

CalGal

Hi Bloving -

I'm positive for BRCA1 mutation and have been dealing with recurr bc, mets to liver and unrelated renal cell carcinoma; but NED for all!

I've not heard of a correlation between having your period while being on Tamoxifin; but being a triple neg also, I focus on BRCA, but not hormone therapy. It's NOT true that BRCA is more likely in er/pr + women either, it depends on whether it's 1 or 2.

As a brief overview:

BRCA1 - 75-80% of bc is triple neg
BRCA2 - 75-80% of bc is er/pr+

BRCA1 and 2 pertain to mutations on the 13 & 17 chromosome as I recall ... One of the indicators is a family history of pre-menopausal bc and/or a fam hist of oc or other cancers. The risk for OC is higher than the general population too. BRCA1 has an even higher risk for bc and oc than BRCA2. However, BRCA2 has a higher risk of other cancers, including pancreatic, prostate and male bc.

Check out this website for a good overview of BRCA risks and information:

www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/breast-and-ovarian/


For support and info, also check out the FORCE website at:

www.facingourrisk.org

Best Regards,

CalGal

BethL

CalGal - thanks for the info. Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of family history. Atleast known history. Between adoption and divorce I know very little about my family's health history.

I meet with the genetist on Friday to decide what should be done next. After thinking about it the last couple of days, I think I would like to go ahead with the testing. I hope with the lack of family history, that my insurance company pays for it.

I checked out facingourrisk, thank you, lots of info there as well. I still can't figure out what my doc meant about the menstrual cycles in relation to BRCA, unless she's concerned the cysts are not related to ovulation. Who knows. Thanks again