breast cancer hereditary

racheal5

My grandmother was just diagnosed with fourth stage breast cancer it is in her lymph nodes and they believe it may have moved into her lungs, liver and bones.  My great grandmother, great great gma, and her two sisters have all died of bc.  I have had three aunts who have had cervical cancer how big of a risk am i at and what do i need to be doing.

iodine

Hello Racheal, Unfortunately, you are at a greater risk of getting cancer than the average female who has no family history.  But please know, if it's any help at all, that a huge number or women get bc with NO family history.  and sometimes, 3 sisters will have bc and the 4th won't.

You need to be dong self breast exams on a very regular basis to get to know your breasts.  That way if anything does come up, you will know it's different.

According to your age, you should get a baseline mammogram.

You should consider a meeting with a genetics counselor to see if you should be tested for the gene.

Come back if you have more questions, or just need to talk. 

I'm so sorry about your gramma.  I know it must be hard for you.

Shirlann

Hi honey, I would get a baseline mammogram pretty soon.  Then, if nothing shows up, which it most likely won't, go back in 3 years or so.  Not every year, you don't want unneeded radiation over too long a period.

As Dotti recommends, you also need to get genetic counseling.  And it goes without saying, stay super vigilant.  No fun, but it is actually better to know what to look for than to be completely blindsided.

Try not to worry too much, even if you get breast cancer at some stage of your life, most of us do very well and recover.

So try to live a normal life and don't make this the only focus.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann 

LoriFL

There are genetic test that can be done. First, the primary cancer patientm then children and siblings. For breast cancer, they are called BRAC1 and BRAC 2. For ovarian cancer, they may be different.

Good luck!