Atypical cells + family history

mommiejo

I am 22 years old and May of this year my grandmother passed from colon cancer. She had survived breast cancer maybe a year before that. Last month I went through the processes of mammograms, biopsy, and surgery. I was diagnosed with a benign radial scar, which I had removed 2 weeks ago. Today I get my results and my surgeon said the mass was benign, but I have atypical cells. He went on the describe that atypical cells mean that my risk for developing breast cancer increases. I am scared, but no one I talk to seems to understand that. There is an uncertainty about my future and I am nervous. There may be something fatal growing in my body and I can do nothing but sit around and wait for something horrible to happen. Does anyone have any type of insight on this situation? I would love to hear from anyone that understands what I am going through.

*I also wanted to add that my surgeon referred me to an oncologist to talk about my options and he said they may recommend anti-estrogen pills, but that is not the best decision for a 22 year old.

MelissaDallas

There are forums for women with both ALH & ADH. Do you know what kind of atypia you have? I understand your anxiety, as I started down the same road a year ago. You'll have lots of company on either of those threads & you will learn a lot & see how others in the same situation are coping.



Has your doctor suggested any genetic counseling/testing?



Hugs, Melissa

amanda1116

I'm sure you know by now you should be investigating all of our options and don't rush into ANYTHING you are not comfortable with.  I don't know from your post whether you are married or have kids but I wonder if anyone has suggested a) BRCA 1 +2 testing (not that this is a gurantee either way, it isn't) or whether after you are finished having kids you consider having your ovaries removed or complete hysterectomy and possibly low dose estrogen replacement therapy (you do need some estrogen at very stable levels for bones, skin and some prevention) without progesterone replacement.  Just a thought

leaf

Of course you are scared.  You have little idea how this information will affect your life.  If you weren't concerned, then I'd be concerned you were 'in denial'.  I got very anxious about it.  Many people go to the worst case scenario.

Although your grandmother did have breast cancer, in order to evaluate whether you have a significant family history, you will need more details.  If your grandmother got breast cancer over, say, the age of 50 (in other words, past menopause), then you MAY not have a significant family history.  Obviously, only your doctor or genetics counselor can evaluate your family tree, but these are the guidelines that the US Preventative Task Force gave in general for BRCA testing.  (The BRCA genes are the most common place where single-mutation inherited breast cancer is found.)  http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf05/brcagen/brcagenrs.htm#clinical. 

A grandmother is a 2nd degree relative.  Unless you have an unusual family tree, such as having no aunts, then you may not have a significant family history.  Remember, in the USA, about 1 in 8 women in the general population will end up getting breast cancer at some time in their life.  Other conditions may also influence your risk, such as if you have any incidence of male breast cancer in your family, whether or not you are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, if you have any ovarian cancer in your family, or, to a lesser extent, other cancers such as prostate cancer on the same side of the family. 

Only a genetics counselor can expertly evaluate your family history, but in the general population, it is estimated that about 1 in 400 or 600 women have a deleterious BRCA mutation, and in the Ashkenazi Jewish population it is more like 1 in 40.  http://cancer.stanford.edu/information/geneticsAndCancer/types/herbocs.html

When I was diagnosed with LCIS (which has roughly twice the risk of breast cancer as does someone with ADH or ALH) - and I do have ALH and radial scars too - I was totally frightened.  But I didn't know the 'big picture'.   I had 1 paternal 2nd degree relative, 2 maternal 2nd degree relatives with breast cancer (all postmenopausal) , plus a maternal cousin.   The genetics counselor said I have a low risk of having a BRCA mutation.    I also later found out how difficult it is to predict one's risk of breast cancer.

As amanda has said, don't rush into anything.  You may be at much lower risk of breast cancer than you think.

mommiejo

MelissaDallas

My report said no evidence of ADH so I'm guessing it may be ALH. Thank you for the info I'll look at those posts. No my doctor didn't recommend genetic testing, but I have thought about it. I read that it's very expensive though so I don't know if I will do it.

Amanda1116

I am married with two kids so a hysterectomy wouldn't be a bad idea. My husband and I decided on only two kids anyway but I dislike the thought of never being able to change my mind even though I doubt that will happen. I will weigh my options and not rush into anything too. That is really good advice because I am known to panic and make quick decisions.

Leaf
Thank you for all of the information. My grandmother did get her cancer after 50 and there is no other case of cancer in my family, as far as I know. I hope all goes well for you.

mommiejo

Amanda1116

I am married with two kids so a hysterectomy wouldn't be a bad idea. My husband and I decided on only two kids anyway but I dislike the thought of never being able to change my mind even though I doubt that will happen.