Stress and non-BRCA TNBC?

Zenful

I read a recent article suggesting stress may change the breast cells leading to TNBC for those that do not have the BRCA gene mutation. Personally, I believe job-related stress was a huge factor in my cancer. Just when I had settled into a stress- reduction routine (meditation, accupuncture, regular exercise) BAM, I was hit with the cancer diagnosis.



Is there anyone else that has tested negative for the BRCA gene mutation that feels stress may have contributed to your cancer?

LiLi1964

I don't know if stress is the determining factor, I think each of our bodies are different and what we have is what we have.  It takes great energy worrying or wondering "why"........ 

I have a question, though.  I asked my surgeon, when pathology verified TNBC, if I would be tested for BRCA.  I thought it might be something important to know for our daughters potential future risk, my sisters, neices, cousins, etc.  I was told they don't do BRCA testing just because TNBC yet I thought I had read that often the 2 go hand in hand.  Can you tell me how you know of your non-BRCA status?  Did they do the test on you?

Zenful

I saw a genetic counselor who recommended the test based on the TNBC diagnosis coupled with my mother also being diagnosed with cancer at an early age. Both my mother and i were pre-menopausal when diagnosed. Even the counselor was surprised I was BRCA negative.



I am not certain what criteria the insurance companies use to determine coverage, but I was told if there are three or more females in your family with breast cancer or if you are triple negative and need to know for purposes of deciding surgery, some insurance companies will pay. Only 10-15% of breast cancers are triple negative, but if you have the BRCA gene mutation, there is an 80% chance it will be triple negative. Still, there are those like me that fall within that small percentage.



You could probably still have your specimen sent if you were willing to pay for it yourself, but I would guess because you already made a decision about surgery, insurance probably won't cover it. The cost is about $4,400. Currently there is just one lab in the country that does it, bit the Supreme Court recently ruled that they cannot hold the patent on a genetic test, so there may be other labs doing it in the near future, making the cost more competitive..

LiLi1964

That helps make things more clear, thank you!  No family history of breast cancer so I'm pretty sure that's why they didn't suggest or offer it.  (That's a huge dollar amount for a test!!!!!)  I can see why insurance might not want to cover it if it is not warranted.

Luah

I think I read that about 15% of TNs are BRCA+. But most BRCA+s are TN. So if you are BRCA+ you are likely TN, but if you are TN you are not "likely" to be BRCA+ (though more so than ER+). Testing is generally done if family history warrants.   

LiLi1964

Luah,

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

JaneB1

The latest thinking is that anyone diagnosed with TNBC at the age of 60 or younger should have the BRCA test. For example, see this link for those instances where Aetna will pay for BRCA testing.



http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0227.html



Aetna pays for BRCA testing for any woman diagnosed with TNBC at age 60 or younger.

TifJ

I was told BRCA testing needed to be done because I was under 50 and TN. That's all my insurance needed to approve it. I had Coventry insurance at the time.

sheila63

If I had to blame my diagnosis on anything it would have been stress.  The previous years of my life had been totally overwhelming in which I at many times thought I would die of a heart attack instead.  It has improved somewhat, and I am working on the rest.  Unfortunately in life there are things that we have no control over.

I  also tested negative on the BRCA test, and was told about it by a breast cancer specialist that worked for my doctor.  She highly recommended that I take this test not only for myself, but for my children as well.  My insurance did pay for it.

slanderson

I have always thought that my bc was caused by stress.  I went through a very contentious divorce and child custody battle with an ex who was bipolar and acted....and, this is an understatement....crazy!!  I am BRCA negative and have no family history on either side.  I think that as I went through that divorce, I thought I handled it just fine, but my body obviously didn't. 

KELL414240

I am triple negative and BRCA negative. No breast cancer or cancer history on either side of my family. I often wonder about stress, plastic, and artificial sweeteners as triggers. I know I am not likely to ever find out but I still wonder. I had the test done but just recently met with the oncologist and he recommends the new BART test as well and has asked my breast surgeon to order it. I checked with Cigna and they will pay for it and I will have it done in December when I go see the breast surgeon. I was tested back in 2010 so insurance was not paying for the BART test at that time. Anyone gone back to have the BART test done?

Zenful

Slanderson, I agree that sometimes even when we don't think we are under a lot of stress, once we have the benefit of looking back, we sometimes realize we were indeed under a lot of stress. Funny how the mind tricks us into coping at the time. Apparently, the body can't be tricked, though.



Kell, I have not pursued the BART test. I read that only 1% of those that test negative for the BRCA mutations will test positive for BART. If it turns out positive, will it change your treatment options at all?

Fiercer

Stress can be a big player in poor health. I do believe it plays a role in many health issues including cancer. I still believe that my TNC was caused from storing my cell phone in my bra. Exactly where my cancer formed!

KELL414240

No change in treatment as I am done with it all unless something reappears but I guess I would only want to know for my Daughter. Do they also recommend hysterectomy if you test positive? That would be the only things I would test for. Has anyone heard of Breastnext(sp) or had it done?