Should I get tested?

jojostarbuck

Here is my family history in a nutshell.
Mom: radical hysterectomy at 28 years old (no cancer, uncontrolled bleeding)
Moms sister: radical hysterectomy at 32 years old ovarian cancer.
Moms mom: cancer of lymph nodes
Moms Brother: Prostate cancer
Moms 2 other brothers...no cancer

No History available on fathers side.


jojo

Lynne

I got tested due to my breast cancer diagnosis and my father's sister and 3 aunts having breast cancer. My test came back negative.

I would meet with a genetic counselor (it's free, mine was next door to my surgeon's office). They will go through your family tree and help you decide if you should have the test or not. The counselor I had said that my test would likely come back negative because I was the only premenopausal breast cancer in the family. I still wanted it done. I have 4 children (2 daughters) and 3 younger sisters (as well as a dozen aunts, cousins and their daughters) who would benefit from the results. My payout after the insurance was $1,000, but it was worth knowing the results. The test is for breast cancer and ovarian cancer only.

Good luck in your decision!

Lynne

leaf

My meeting (counseling) with a board certified genetics counselor at a major university was not free (it was about $200), but was very much worth it for me. The place I went to required counseling both before and after testing.

It takes major time to fill out their questionaires, but it was much worth the time, even though they found I was at low risk for single dominent genetic mutations associated with cancer. I opted not to get tested.

Beesie

With your BC, your aunt's ovarian cancer and your uncle's prostate cancer, you certainly have enough family history to warrant a discussion with a genetic counsellor. Let the counsellor review your family history and explain the implications to you of taking the test. Then decide from there. As others have said, meeting with a counsellor does not oblige you to go ahead with the testing. But having that discussion will definitely be the best way to find out whether getting tested is right for you or not.

Pharmmom

I would and did. My mom had it, my dad had it, my dads sister had it, my mom's brother had it. Great right?? Anyway did the test and was negative for the BRAC genes. Then there was this mystery gene that was questionable but was not identified yet. So I still really don't know about that one but I do know about the other two. Frankly I was surprised I didnt test positive.

HensonChi

Bump

HensonChi

bump

lvtwoqlt

bump

murphmort

I would suggest you at least go to see a genetic counselor.  Knowledge is key with this disease.  I am waiting my results and wanted to know for my family.  Good luck in making the decision.

MargaretB

I have a mother and sister who had bc and now my husband has had squamous cell cancer on his ear; his father also had skin cancer. I decided to have it done to see if the mutation ended with me or if my son would have to worry about prostate cancer more than his peers. I did see the counselor and felt very comfortable with him; the most it will cost me out of pocke is $300 but in all likelihood it will cost me the cost of a copay.  I got my results back late last week and I do have a BRCA 2 mutation.  Good luck in making your decision.

sheddie67

It's a tough decision to make.  I would take the advice of the others and get counseling about it.  I didn't and regret it.  I had breast cancer @ 36. My mom had it had age 60 and aunt had ovarian @ 62.  Cancer is very evident in my mom's family.  I didn't think too much about it and said "What the heck! I want to see if I have the mutation"  I really think I did it to give me piece of mind that I did not have it.  How wrong I was.  I tested positive for the BRCA 2.  Now I have some tough decisions to make about what to do.  My dr is recommending having the other breast removed and ovaries removed.  So please think hard about what you will do if you do or do not have the mutation.

Colleen