BRAC Test

katz03

Dear All

I have been on the site about 18 months on behalf of my daughter who developed Breast Cancer at age 29yrs

My SIL has just has a masectomy for bc. She is older than Sarah 56yrs. However now we have two members in the family with bc especially as my daughter was only 29 yrs we are wondering whether there is a genetic link.

Could someone please tell me what the BRAC test entails. Is it just a blood test or is it more?

Hoping someone can help.

Kathy

nash

The BRCA test is just a blood test. The logistics of the testing are simple, but before having the test done, it is important to meet with a genetic counselor to discuss exactly what you will do with the info. There's prophylactic mastectomy and prophylactic ovary removal to consider, health insurance and life insurance matters to consider, etc.

Probably the best course of action is to have your daughter tested, as she already has breast cancer at such a young age. Then the rest of your family can go from there based on her results.

sahalie

Hi Kathy,
I had the test and it's just a blood test. Needle in, needle out, wait a few weeks for results.
I am one who didn't do anything extra like counseling etc.
I just had the test, insurance paid, got the results and that was it.
Both mine were negative thank goodness but I really don't believe a negative result guarantees our family from getting it at some point from other issues in their lives.

I wish you all the best.

veggievet

Hi Kathy,
There is an organization devoted to the issue of genetic testing and also those who may have a hereditary link. The organization is FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered and can be found at:
http://www.facingourrisk.org
There is alot of information specific to genetics on the FORCE website. You can read the section about genetic counseling:

http://www.facingourrisk.org/hereditary_cancer/assessing_risk_genetic_counseling.html#counseling

and genetic testing

http://www.facingourrisk.org/hereditary_cancer/genetic_testing.html

on the website. In addition the website has an active message board:

http://www.facingourrisk.org/messageboard

which is dedicated to the topic of hereditary cancer and genetic testing.

I personally have a BRCA 2 mutation, and found out after I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 33. My mutation came from my father's side so there wasn't a huge family history of cancer, but then again we don't have a lot of women in our family. There was just a recent research article by a genetics expert from City of Hope which indicated that women diagnosed with breast cancer under age 50 should consider genetic counseling and testing even if they don't have a strong family history of cancer. The most recent FORCE newsletter has an article which reviews and explains the study:

http://www.facingourrisk.org/newsletter/2007summer/brca_testing.html

Regardless of whether or not your daughter has genetic testing, she could gain a lot of information by seeing an expert called a genetic counselor. They are experts in the area of hereditary cancer and can help assure that she has the most up-to-date information (after all genetics is a rapidly evolving area of study and new information is being learned all the time).

I hope that this is helpful. I'd be happy to talk with you or your daugher about my genetic counseling and testing experience or help her find a genetic counselor in her area. You can private me or e-mail me at:

[Email]sueanddan@att.net.[/Email]

Warm regards,
Sue

KimOH

Kathy, , ,if you want the testing kit. . .call for FREE BRAC test kit at 1-800 469-7423, , ,from MYRIAD Laboratories, , , good luck. . Kim

katz03

Dear All

Thanks for your comments.  That was a really helpful website facingyourrisk.org that Sue recommended.

Awaiting an appointment to find out further.  Thanks for the phone number but doubt if they would send a free test to the UK but still may check it out.

Thanks.

Katz 

jebrozz

My 36 year old friend just told me they found a lump on her breast exam.  Her mom died from bc at the age of 38.  She doesn't have insurance so I was wondering how much the BRAC blood test costs and should she bother having the blood test since she already knows there is a history in her family. 

nash

The BRCA test runs about $3000, if I remember correctly. It would be more important for her to get the lump diagnosed right now that getting the BRCA testing done. With her mom dying so young of bc, she should be viligant about herself whether she's BRCA positive or not.

SandyDee

I know that this is an old string but I just called the number for the free brac test kit. It's not free now. They bill insurance, but if your insurance doesn't pay they will give you a payment plan for the 3,000 that can be spread over 3 months. Just fyi.

nonmorbidfixation

   i have a family who i do not see. i did not havetheir blood in my veigns. My friends feared for my ilfe becuase they were all morbidly fixated on cancer. the oldest one is the ringleader of the subliminal morbid fixation on m grandmothers cancer. i was not morbidl fixated. ihad also had an eating disorder i got over while they are all istuck where thy were years agol also alchol drugs on their part not mine. marrying my father syndrom not me.. cocaine addiction smoke not me. i was a child of god meaning i was natural and did not follow their insanity, i lived to my health and they would do anyting possibel to take me to their level in jelous as much as theyw anted to drag me into their cancer circle. two sisters have cancer. the one who is fixated also a munchausen by proxy make her self the family controler or what u call a fake hero by having her breats and organs removed after having a postiive BRAc test. i was a vctim of my familys insanity and morose morbid fixations tring to take a healthy kid and make me sick or have me labled( no symptoms) as mentaly ill then tried to cannabalize me and skapegoat me called it love. i suffered yeras at hands of this is called munchausen. the same family are all incestiously related to cancer . i dont have any signs anycontact i had with the infested sister would lead for some strange things to happen. like someon tring to get at my healthy mind to turn me morbid, she is also invovlved in making scarves for cancer victims as her life now and making herself look the hero with cancer. she said she got a Positive to BRAC test , and became depressed. im and decided to do this. i tossed the test out that was more than 10 years ago and am cancer free and lived helath y until ihad contact with this sister via email. two sisters one young and older who are daily expsed to chemical and smoke coffee etc got cancer. and also very abusive to others and low coping skills.

 despoite my condtions i had a happy life. but they seemed determined to take me back to where trhey wanted me to be below them. to control me and my life who i am. the one sister is very agresive to tel others who they are. me especially and to use her mind on people to make theh think what she is thinking i have seen her in action and keep her at a distnace. she is like the evil prom queen with a sweet exterior. i keep them away. i found it essential to keep happy and it worked. she seemds to want to tell me who i am. but then goes on line an contradicts her self. this is sick and has made her self a motivational speaker while she is not the roll model. i find this very scary that others would follow her advice while i know she is cliniclay insane. but poses as a roll model. her part in this cancer scarf thing and fashion is also scary and competetive. As for the woman here who asked of people were playing on fears. YES> sometime they wil come out and say this BRAC test is a bunch of shit.and just keep keeping healthy unles ur already diagnosed. my boss had cancer  of lungs and did not take this test we tossed it in trash. being in art world and thinking people. i also was a very medically minded person was very mindful of my life heath food and changes. drs also ignored me in terms of stress and trauma becuase of my familys actoins which put me at risk for illness. they disrgarded the most important thing and if i got cancer they would uump on me and drag me to their clutch of cancer hens. the oldest sister is also milking the famil will and wheni was in a medical threat her frist reaction was to tell me. i had to contact her becuase she was hldong the fmaily will. LOL> keep it. fools and money will soon die that is not what u tell someone with a healt risk.. now i ave gotten very sick in last months of my life from ( call it strange activity. this sister is out of control moves to fast and looks like a train wreck but feels she is morgan fairchild or a model) this is delusioanl i would move very carefuly around people attached to cancer and drs who are also book learend. GOD almighty prayer and guideance and know ur own self. take care from young age , lead to healthy life. and dont panic and take risky radical care..  

nonmorbidfixation

 i feel from what i saw in my family there is a pscycological link and this morbid fixation leads to illness. all of the mentioned are morbid fixated from mother down. as much as they want to amke me conform to their madness. they envy me.. scratch surface. there is something caled the fatal touch. read about it. i di dnot fall to this so someone tried harder to make me fall. they woudl killme for my blood or mind. beware of peole who talk at u and tell u what to think and to fast and zelous and take life slow .. what jesus said in bible about illness is true. that if u trust god there is no illness from family as god is pure.. and can keep u healthy . its when othesr poison gets in that problems happen..