BRAC testing and prophylactic mastectomy

erchick22

Hello I am happy I found this discussion board. I am thinking about getting tested for BRCA 1 & 2. My paternal grandmother was diagnosed with 2 seperated forms of breast cancer 6 months after a "clean" mammogram. She was stage 3 but as of right now has made a full recovery. My mothers side my grandmothers sisters each had breast, ovarian cancer and died from it. My mother has not been tested for the gene but she is concidering it. She has had negative lumps in the past. I am concerened about getting tested and being positive and if insurance will cover a bilateral double mastectomy. I have Anthem insurance. I wanted to know if anyone had been tested was positive and how it went with their insurance. My mother has a different isurance. I tried to call and ask and they were not very helpful. I don't want to be tested if I cannot afford to have the double mastectomy with recontructions. I am a single registered nurse and I can affored medical bills just not what a PDM would cost. Any advice or past experiences would be helpful. Thank you!

crystalphm

I think you could get the questions about insurance answered with a phone call. Blue Cross will not cover the genetic testing for me because my mom or sisters do not have breast cancer. So this in itself might be your answer, to first find out what is covered.

erchick22

ok thank you!

MelissaDallas

Erchick, what you really need is not to just decide you want that specific test. You want genetic counseling. There are genetic syndromes besides BRCA that predispose you to cancer and the counselor will take an intensive family history & order what tests (if any) would be the most likely causes.

KatMJ

crystalphm - I have Blue Cross / Blue Shield and two years ago my testing was covered.  I did have to pay $300-400 (I can't remember the exact figure).  I do not have any sisters and my mother (living) does not have BC.  I am negative - no other family member tested so for me...it just means it's not it but we don't know what 'IT' is. 

I had a young doctor who wanted me to have it done.  Have only two aunts (one each side) and both had BC (both have since died).  Then a great aunt and her daughter have also died of it.  Various ages at diagnosis for all 4 family members and progression times.  Prostate cancer for father and all but one uncle - none have died from it (total 4 cases - various stagings and treatments).

erchick22

Thank you both for advice and sharing.