Significant Fam History and new problems

freudgirl38

Hi everyone, I am a 28 year old who is dealing with breast issues for the second time in my young life. Just a little background, I have 5 paternal aunts who have had breast cancer, 3 have died, 2 were diagnosed prior to age 50. My father also has 3 benign breast tumors, 2 years ago I found a lump went through the whole do I have cancer thing, had the untrasound and biposy, diagnosed with a fibroadenoma. I went for the BRAC DNA test and came back negative. About 3 weeks ago I developed pain in my nipple which only lasted about 2 days but the next day I had significant pain in the area of 2 o'clock on my left breast (my fibroadenoma is on my right). I feel a lump along with a somewhat dense feeling, it is painful to touch, my breast is swollen and its getting to the paint where it hurts to walk (I have size G breasts). I of course called my oncologist to sched an apt which is set for this Friday. But I had my physical recently and the only abnormality I have is elevated platelets. So I was doing ok with all of this before as I have been through all of this previously but now due to the breast issues, the increase platelets that are unexplained, the onset of extreme fatigue and low grade fever I am begninning to stress a bit. I am glad the apt is only 2 days away but I know its still a waiting process to get apts and results. I just needed to share my story and see if anyone had smiliar symptoms. I know that breast pain is not usually related to cancer but given the history I take any breast issue very seriously.

Angel10

Hi there freudgirl...so sorry to see you are going through this. Was just checking another thread on genetic issues...I am one of 5 sisters with BC and we are BRCA neg, but there is another genetic mutation with stomach and breast that my sisters have...but I don't. Waiting is the worst part of this....and no consolation I am sure, but if it were cancer 2 days more would probably not make any difference. Now an infection is something you want to treat quickly and hopefully that will be what you are dealing with. Not sure what kind of relationship yo uhave with your internist, but if this turns out benign perhpas your internist could see you quicker than the onc next time?  Regardless, if you ever hit a wall and just need to see someone...go to the ER at the hospital your onc works at!

Hang in...best of luck and let me know how you do.

God Bless!

Angel

ElaineD

It sounds as if you have an infection, so hopefully this will be dealt with quickly, and reassure you. But with such an extensive family history, you are quite right to follow up every symptom. Good luck.

cp418

Have you ever had a baseline mammogram and or MRI -  to have as information in your medical records?

freudgirl38

Went to my apt today and she found a lump so I am going for an ultrasound in 2 weeks. cp418, they have not done a mamo or MRI, they tell me I am too young and since the history is on my fathers side it is not as significant. I am thinking I may need to demand one just so I don't have to keep going through this everytime something is found. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and insight!

Mutd

Freudgrl, you may need another doc. Really. The idea that we only get breast cancer genes from mothers, and never from fathers, is an old wives tale, and it is plain wrong. Even the oldest-generation physicians, if they have any wish to learn and stay up to date, should have learned decades ago that this is a dangerous myth. You are just as likely to get "the gene" from the father as from the mother.

And with fibroadenoma ... not to mention the extensive family history ... they should have approved surveiilance including MRI already. So by staying with the same physician, you are putting yourself in danger.

Now about the BRCA test. Are you the first in the family to take it? If so, you'd be "uninformative negative", and therefore still high risk no matter the neg result. Because uninformative negatives should be managed according to family history, and it is really strong.

(If other relatives with cancer have been tested, and were positives for some mutation, then you'd know that you haven't got their mutation, and then it would be a true negative result). Also, did your BRCA test include BART (some BRCA mutations can only be detected by BART test, but it is an expensive add-on and they only give it for free to the highest-risk women. Your aunts may be able to get this extra test as a freebie, because they have so many "first degree relatives" with cancer. In your history, the relatives with the disease are almost all 2nd degree)

Angel10

Mutd,

Thanks for your post. When I read "father's side" made freudgirl's not as significant, I said to myself "what the --?" Since my family's genetic disorder was NOT BRCA but stomach related yet it came from my Dad's side, I thought perhaps I was not well read up on BRCA, but it just did not make sense!!

Freundgirl...where are you? Springfield MA? Where did you get your oncologist from? Are you confident in them? Springfield should have access to many fine docs. Don't mean to jump the gun here, but something just doesn't seem right.

Anyone else care to comment on this issue?

God Bless!

Angel