New looking for information etc

Annmaria

Hi All,

My sister died last year from lung cancer age 45 she survied breast cancer for 10 years she was dx at 35 she had 1 breast removed.  Before she passed I discussed the genetic test with her and she agree to give blood.  I had a meeting last week and they are going to test her blood which will take three months to see if she has BRCA1 or BRAC2.

My family history is, my mother passed at 49 not sure if she had breast cancer because the cancer was discovered after she passed and it had spread.  My sister above 35 breast cancer and my uncle mother's brother die from breast cancer age 62.  My father side two sister breast cancer one passed age 48 and the other age 70.

With the family history its worrying 3 months is a long time to wait and if my sister has one of the gene's then I will be tested.  Does anyone know will that also take 3 months I had loads of questions but can't think.

thanks

Annmaria

Lily55

Ask for your tests now but are you ready and supported for the results?

Annmaria

I am 42 married with 2 children (teenagers) ready I am not sure, supported yes.  I have been having regular check ups for 10yrs when my sister got first dx. So breast cancer has been a worry for me at least twice a year with testing.  I had the meeting last friday it took a year for the Genetic department to get in touch.  And then with Angelia Jolie announcement it was all over the media I  had no information other then you could be tested suddenly BRCA1 & 2 was everywhere. My husband was unsure about my decision until he heard  it on the radio etc.  So that has been positive for me I was hoping to try and put it in the back of my mind for three months.  I am not able to do this now not sure if its because of all the media coverage or just me been scared. 

I think I have to wait for the results of my sister before they will test me will that is what I was told at the meeting.   

lekker

You should speak with a licensed genetic counselor. BRCA results should only take 2 weeks or so - not three months. The counselor could explain to you if it's wise to wait for results or not. If your sister's results come back positive, then they can do a cheaper version of the test on you that only looks for her specific mutation. If her results are negative, that's not a guarantee that you're negative too. The majority of breast cancer isn't related to BRCA mutations so your sister could be negative and still had breast cancer. Meanwhile it's possible that you did inherit a mutation from your parents (and may never develop cancer). Talking with a good genetic counselor can really help you decide if you need to be tested. Be prepared with as much information about your family as possible - did your sister have a separate primary lung cancer or was it metastatic breast? What kind of breast cancer did she have (triple negative, ER and or HER2 positive, etc)? Age of diagnosis and age at death of all affected by cancer. The more details you can provide, the better.

Annmaria

Thanks for your reply she had metastatic breast? I did speak with a licensed genetic counselor from the Maher hospital Dublin.  I live in Ireland the appointment was arranged by my sister consultant so they have all the information from my sister.  I am not sure what type of breast cancer she had must find out.  I was never asked what breast cancer she had even that I get tested yearly.

I did feel the genetic counselor was rushing the meeting I expected it to be 1-2 hrs from the letter but we finish in 30mins.  I will now educate my self and get back to her reading information on here I really don't have much knowledge. 

1openheart

I was told that if there was any male relative (even if not first degree) to have breast cancer, then you would qualify for the BRCA testing.  My results only took about 10 days.  I also had an uncle (great uncle) with breast cancer, as well as two grandmothers and an aunt,  and I was negative for both BRCA mutations as well as the BART mutation.

Best of luck to you.  So sorry for your loss.