Genetic Testing & Her 2+++

pebbles

I recently meet with a genetics counselor and am thinking about the testing. Have a fam hx of bc, mother dx with bc postmenopausal in her 50s, died of mets to bones. Maternal grandmo dx bc in her 60s. Maternal grandfa died from either or both, colon and prostate cancer age 75. Maternal aunt dx with skin cancer and possibly bc in her 50s/60s.
I was dx with 2 tumors 1.5 cm and .4cm at age 46 premenopausal. Had lumpectomy and negative sentinal node. ER-PR- but Her2+++. Had 4 cycles of A/C, 26 rads, followed by taxol/herceptin for 12 cycles. herceptin to have continued to equal 1 year but had to stop months early due to low Muga scores.
Fearful to have the test. Since I had rads I was lead to believe i could not have implants. If I test positive I would have to have a bilateral mast. I need to work and have a somewhat normal quality of life. What would I do if I couldn't have implants. Also I would have to have a ooph. Everything making me a woman would be taken away. How does everyone cope? Obvioulsy I'm not, I did well through chemo,rads and surgery and returned to working 2 jobs after 2 weeks. Never missed more than 1 or 2 days over the entire chemo/herceptin routine.
Have no support from family members especially my 22 year old daughter who is very angry that I got the dreaded bc. She is also fearful herself of getting it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks so much.

daisybell

Have the test, you don't necessarily have to get a bilateral mastectomy, you could just be monitored with MRIs,etc.
Also there are other types of reconstruction too. Did the chemo make you go through menopause anyway? I'd get my ovaries out in a minute if anyone told me it would be of benefit.
Sue

nagem

Just my opinion, but I feel there's nothing to be gained from ignorance and everything to be gained from having all the knowledge possible to deal intelligently with this disease. I had a moderate family history, got tested and turned out to be negative for the genes they currently test for. I ended up having a bilateral mastectomy anyway for a variety of reasons. I was not a good candidate for reconstructions because I had had radiation and was too skinny for DIEP flap, so I'm totally flat now. I may not have breasts, but I feel just fine about myself. The idea of these things is often worse than the reality. It sucks that you're not getting support from your family, but you seem really strong. If you got through chemo and radiation working two jobs, you've got what it takes to get through the DNA test and whatever procedures it reveals to be advisable.

Annaanne

I agree. Have the test, so you can have peace of mind. From what I know, Her + bc is rarely also Brca +, but the test is a simple blood test (although the long wait for results is no fun.) You should also have a session with a genetic counselor before the test, and the counselor will tell you what your risk factors are and how likely it is that you might be positive.
Good luck
A
Ps. I was tested (both my grandmothers had bc, and I'm of eastern european Jewish heritage -- I was negative)