Hereditary bc?

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Lara56805
Lara56805 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi!

I just found this site after searching for online info with no luck. I lost my mom to bc on Feb. 28. She lost her struggle after 4 years. When taking care of her estate I found a note from her doctor that said her diagnosis from the BRACA test was triple negative. I understand that it is a type of breast cancer, but what I don't understand is if it is hereditary and whether you can tell from this diagnosis or whether I have to be tested myself. I have contacted the hospital about genetic counceling but haven't made arrangements yet. I was hoping that someone might have had experience with a family member or know about triple negative and hereditary bc and could help to fill me in. Thanks!

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  • CalGal
    CalGal Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2007

    Hi Lara -

    Welcome ...  this is a great website for info and support.

    I'm a BRCA1, triple neg with mets.

    My mom also had bc, as did my maternal grandma, but my mom passed from bc mets and my grandma just died last year at 93, unrelated to bc.  I'm sorry to hear you lost your mom to bc too.  Both were dx'd in their 40s. 

    However, I'm the only one of us three w/bc who had the BRCA testing.   I know that my mom was not eligible for hormone therapy, thus, I figure she was at least er/pr - (double negative) ... and as she passed in 2000, I'm not sure about Her2Neu, but figure since I'm a trip neg she likely was too.

    Pre-menopausal bc and/or a family history of pre-menopausal bc as well as oc is one of the indicators of a possible BRCA mutation.  When a parent - male or female - has the mutation, there is a 50% chance of passing it on to a child (again, male or female).

    A BRCA dx, should either be BRCA1, BRCA2 or negative for the mutation.  If there is a BRCA mutation, the specific mutation is given.   Triple negative refers to the actual tumor pathology.

    For those who are BRCA1, 80% are triple negatives.  However, the ratio does NOT go the other way (I have yet to read a % of trip negs who are BRCA1 pos).  For BRCA2, 80% are hormone receptor positive. 

    I'd definitely recommend the genetic counseling.

    A great website for those who are BRCA positive or otherwise at high risk of bc or oc is FORCE ... Go to www.facingourrisk.org

    CalGal 

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