advice for getting tested

mindy54

My mom passed away just a few weeks ago. Her breast cancer came back for the third time after 12 years.  Due to the cost she decided not to have the test to find out if it was BRCA.  I feel I should have paid to find out the results as it could help me .  Of course there is nothing I can do now except consider getting tested myself.  My grandma also had breast cancer but it was treated and she did not pass away from it.  I don't know alot about this but I also have concerns about if I am positive how that could affect insurance coverage as pre existing coverage if I know I am positive. I also wonder what the advantage of knowing this information would be.  I have started having mammograms at an early age but that finds it when it's already there whereas knowing if I have the gene I could take preventative action.  If anyone has any advice for me please let me know.  A friend recommends talking to a genetic councilor and I guess they would probably have answers too but thought I would ask here.  Thank you

hrf

The best advice is to talk to a genetic counsellor. While you have a strong family history, it doesn't mean that you or anyone carries the gene mutation. In my family, it was not only my mother but quite a few of her first cousins so there was little doubt about the BRCA and it turned out positive as expected.

NativeMainer

In most places you have to have genetic counseling before getting the test done.  A counselor will answer all the questions you have, including the insurance coverage issues.  Right now, at least in Maine and I believe it is a federal regulation, that you cannot be denied insurance based on a pre-existing condition if you have been insured within the 30 days prior to application.  If you you change jobs you cannot be denied health insurance as long as you had insurance previously. There is also a federal regulation making it illegal to discriminate based on genetic testing results.  I believe tamoxifen is used to help prevent bc in gene mutation positive women.