family histories of cancer???

donnams

Carmelle,
Sounds like BRCA2 to me....that's what I have, and they say that while the breast/ovarian cancer risk is the highest, there is also a risk of prostate and pancreatic cancers in particular....

If you want to pursue testing, I'd push for it.... My doctor's didn't think I had a strong chance of being positive either...

Peace and hugs,
Donna

Carmelle

I had my ovaries removed as part of tx. Do you see a reason to have the test? I have two small boys and a sister. They are being screened as high risk already?
Michelle

donnams

If you've already had a bilat mast and oopherectomy, you are probably in good shape. As far as the boys are concerned, you are right that they'll need screenings both for breast cancer and prostate when they get older. But even if you did the test and tested positive, the boys couldn't be tested until they are 18 and able to make their own decision.

For me, I did the test for my sister and daughter as well as for myself. Since I already have cancer, it was an easier "sell" to my insurance company....now that it has been identified, my sister can do a single site analysis which costs significantly less ($350) and she could pay this out of pocket if she didn't want her insurance company to know. You might ask your sister if she would consider testing if you tested pos....if she says no, you're right, no need to have the test.

It's a tough call....some people don't want to know, some do. I know my sister is planning on getting tested and will have a proph. bilat. mast and oopherectomy if she tests positive....an 85% increased risk is nothing to sneeze at!

Good luck with your decision....Donna

quiltbugj

Dear All: I haven't been here for a long time, but this site was a godsend when I was first diagnosed in 9/03. I tested + for BRCA2. Just an FYI, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) is another wonderful community. FORCE is for any one who has either tested positive for BRCA, suspects that they might or have a significant family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer even if you don't have one of the three gene mutations that can be tested for. www.brca.com

I wish you all the best. JUdy N

marlan

I tested negative for the brac1 and 2 genes but have had 8 other women in my family on my paternal side that have had breast cancer. All diagnosed in their early 40's. I am the 4th generation in my late 30s. The doctors still believe It is genetic but perhaps some identified BRAC gene.

4 great aunts died of BC. (paternal grandmothers sisters - we believe she escaped it becuase she had a hysterectomy at 28)
1 1st aunt
3 second cousins

shagette

Thought I'd add my family history to the mix. I am adopted, so my history is not as thorough as it should be. It's because of things like this that I searched 10 years ago.



Birthfather's side:

my uncle was dxd with brain tumor at age 37 and still fighting

Don't know much more as they are a big Italian family that still whispers the word cancer.



Birthmother's side:

*my great aunt diagnosed in her 60s with breast cancer- passed on

*my grandmother diagnosed with breast cancer, a 5 cm tumor, at age 62 (so my surgeon believes she had it premenopausally because of its size) - she passed on Memorial Day 2004. Her father had carcinoma of the stomach at age 56 and her mother had leukemia at age 74 (but not sure how accurate the leukemia is)

*my mother diagnosed at age 47 with breast cancer - still alive and kicking almost 5 years out.



I have another great aunt on my mother's side that is still alive and is the only other female in the family. She refuses to have a mammogram done or any other kind of testing as she comes frome the school of thought that if you mess with things via testing, imaging, etc., you could "disturb" things and cause cancer.



My birthmother is in the process of going to a genetic counselor for testing. I have opted for bilateral mastectomy (right side prophylactic) and have been in discussions with my GYN and surgeon about my ovaries. Here's hoping that by the time my daughters come of age a cure will be found.



Kim

mary1220

Mother died of Pancreatic cancer age 62,her father had larynax cancer in early 50's (had surgery no treatmnt) died at 86 from stroke due to hitting his head. Grandfather on dads side died of lung cancer(smoker). Me B.C. age 50 and at 1 year since dx. No other cancers or B.C. anywhere. Raised in a farming community. Mary

hippie96321

I have often toyed with the idea of genetic testing but never looked into it that much. What has to be met before insurance woudl consider covering the cost of the testing and do any of you ladies know what the outright price for the testing would be w/o insurance kicking in.



There are just so many occurances of BC in my family that I just think I probably have BRCA 1/2 but in a way I would like to know for sure.

donnams

hippie,
I think the insurance qualifications may vary plan to plan...for mine (Anthem), if you had one or more immediate family members and/or if you or they were under the age of 50 when diagnosed, you'd qualify for coverage. Other specs included being of a certain eastern european heritage.

The cost was a little over $3000 for the full spectrum BRCA1/2 panel testing (which my insurance covered in full). The name of the lab was Myriad Labs in Utah. They do have a website (www.myriadtests.com will get you to the brca pages).

Best of luck with your decision.
Donna

SHERRY36

HELLO TO ALL
WELL HERE I GO...
ME- NO CANCER THAT I AM AWARE OF
MY SISTER(JUST TURNED 33 FEB.2005)STAGE 4 BREAST CANCER
BOTH GRANDMOTHERS (DECEASED)BREAST CANCER
AUNT (FATHERS SIDE)CERVICAL CANCER
GREAT UNCLE (MOTHERS SIDE-DECEASED)LUNG CANCER
GREAT UNCLE (MOTHERS SIDE-DECEASED)BONE CANCER
MOTHER ABNORMAL CELLS
MOTHER AND AUNTS- SKIN CANCER
IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE HEALTH ISSUES ON BOTH SIDES OF MY FAMILY. WE HAVE CANCER OF COURSE, DIAB.,STROKES,HEART ATTACKS,AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.MY SISTER AND ME USE TO TEASE EACH OTHER ABOUT US NEVER HAVING A CHANCE IN LIFE WITH ALL OF HEALTH PROBLEMS IN OUR FAMILY. WE NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BECOME A REALITY, ESPECIALLY THIS EARLY IN LIFE. I AM WILLING TO DO ANYTHING IT TAKES TO PREVENT OTHER PEOPLE FROM LOSING THEIR LOVED ONES TO CANCER. I HOPE THEY CONDUCT RESEARCH UPON RESEARCH UNTIL THEY ARE FINALLY ABLE TO STOMP OUT B.CANCER AND ALL OF THE OTHER CANCERS.IT HAS TAKEN TOO MANY LIVES AS IT IS.
GOD BLESS ALL!

prayer

Emelee,
Get tested. At least you will then have options. don't wait for it to show and then hope you have caught it early enough. The can rebuild the most beautiful breasts!

Here' my history.
I was diagnosed just 6 weeks ago with DCIS (early stage BC), I am one of 4 girls, the youngest and the only one to have BC

mother diagnosed bc at age 50 died at 55 of bone mets.

Maternal grandmother died at 39 of bc (back shortly after WWII) How much did they really know then?

Nothing on fathers side but one cousin with Leukemia, most of the family on this side lives into their 90's. My father however died of an anurism at age 64.

It has been suggested that I be tested. I don't know what my chances would be. any info you can share?

Paulette531

Starting on my Mother's side...
Great Grandmother...Liver
Great Grandmother...Cervical
Maternal Grandfather...Breast and prostrate
Mother...Cervical
Oldest Sister...Breast and Cervical
Second oldest Sister...Breast
Me...Breast
My father just passed away from Pancreatic (the only person in his family to have cancer)

There's just about no doubt in my mind where I got it! My Oncologist teaches at MD Anderson, she is reccomending my family for a genetic study. So far my youngest sister has not been diagnosed. She turned 56 in January, she no longer wonders "if", for her it's "when", I was the same way after my second oldest got it. I was diagnosed at 56.

sportycath

I've been through genetic testing and turned up negative: What do you think???
Me youngest of 4 girls(50yrs) - bc dx '01 now stage 4
sister 2- dx bc '96, passed 1997 (sisters 1 and 3 OK)
Mum (eldest of 4 girls)- bc dx '01 (same week as me)
Aunt maternal # 2 bc dx '04
Aunt maternal #4 bc dx '05
Uncle paternal stmach cancer
My kids are at a big risk as my father in law has prostate cancer and mum in law passed with bowel cancer '98.
We had no one in our family with cancer prior to 1996! My sister who passed was 45 at dx (same as me ) and all my Aunts and my Mum have got it in their early 70's. I worry that the dx of bc is getting younger in the future generations. I'm glad I had boys but my eldest said "Yeah right! we'll end up with Prostate cancer instead"
Lets hope there is a cure for our kids!

Emelee26

Hi..I will get tested - the geneticist suggested I get tested after I have health and life insurance and he also said my father could be tested first...either way, I get a clinical, ultrasounds, and I will start mammograms this year, so I've stayed on top of things...thanks to all of you for writing here - it's very interesting to see all the histories..Love Marisa

KLD

Me - diagnosed 3/5_2
2F05 with pure DCIS
Immediate Family Members
Dad - 70 yrs. old and currently a 10 year survivor of Stage II bladder cancer
Mom - had one facial melanoma removed a few years ago and is fine
Sister - had lumpectomy 10 years ago for benign lump (she just wanted it out)

Paternal Side
grandfather - prostate cancer (but died at age 90 of complications from a broken hip)
grandmother - died of a blood clot to her lung/no cancer that I'm aware of
Second cousin - breast cancer survivor

Maternal Side
grandmother - no cancer (but always had stomach problems and this is odd -- a psychic once told me that she died from a rare stomach cancer. I don't know...it was just odd to hear).
grandfather - died at age 82 of a heart attack
Great Uncle - lung cancer (smoker)
Second Cousin - breast cancer lump (survivor 3+ yr)
Third Cousin - Thyroid cancer - 9+ year survivor
Mom's Brother - Throat cancer survivor (succomed to throat cancer that spread to the lung and brain 10 years later)

Twinmama

I'm fourth generation with breast cancer.

I had a bilateral mastectomy in April 2005 (age 33).
My mother had a bilateral mastectomy in February 1994 (age 45).
My grandmother (maternal) first had breast cancer in the early 1960s (in her late 30s), then again in 1972. She had chemo for the first, not for the second, and the second killed her.
My great-grandmother (maternal) had breast cancer in the late 1930s (was also in her late 30s) and did not survive.

I have been tested and have found to have BRCA1. My mother's younger sister has also been tested and is positive for BRCA1.

My father's side of the family all had various cancers (lung, prostate, etc.) later in life, like in their late 70s.

hollybee

My sister died of breast CA at 33



On my mom's side:

My mom died of ovarian CA at 57

Her dad died of colon CA in his early 60s



On my dad's side:

His brother had breast CA many years ago but has been fine. (EDITED 12/31/05- just found out he probably had a skin cancer that was on the breast, NOT true breast cancer.)

His sister died of ovarian CA in her late 50s

whatsie2

Our first sign of any 'history' is my sister bc twice (two primaries) prior to age 45 and next sister bc at 44. I am wondering about testing but not sure what to do. (4 girls in family).Father died of mesothelioma (asbestos cancer).