Should I get tested?

snackcakegirl

There is what I consider to be a high incidence of cancer on my Mother's side of the family. Here is what I know:

Grandmother - breast cancer dx early 40s - deceased

Aunt - breast cancer dx late 30s/early 40s - deceased after recurring

Great Aunt - breast cancer dx 60's - deceased

Uncle - Leukemia - deceased

Uncle - Prostate and rare form of Leukemia (slow progressing - produces too many WBC) - living

Uncle - Melanoma - deceased

2 second cousins - Lymphoma and one unknown form

My Mother is 69 and has no incidence of cancer and I have one brother with no incidence either. Does this warrant having a conversation with a genetic counselor?

I am 40 (soon 41), married and no children. I just learned I have a very tiny % of Aschkenazi heritage (likely not significant) but this is what actually got me researching of all things. The uncle with prostate cancer had a genetic panel done and there were no markers but I have read that even though one family member doesn't carry the mutation, it does not mean you do not.

Curious what everyone thought.

Thanks!

farmerlucy

Check out Color Genomics. It is quite affordable and you get a phone consult w a certified genetic counselor after you get your results

Moderators

Hi Snackcakegirl-

Welcome to BCO! We hope you find the information you're looking for.

You have a couple of options. You can contact a genetic counselor and inquire about how to go about getting your insurance to cover the test. Many plans do cover it, but there may be some qualifying information you need to provide in order for them to approve it (such as family health history, any people who have tested positive, etc.). You can read a bit more about how who should be tested is determined here: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/genet....

Or, you can contact one of several private testing companies like Farmer mentioned. They are an affordable option for people who can't/don't want to have their test covered by their insurance, or who don't meet some of the criteria that is required to have the test covered, but still want to know their status. Either way, a call to a genetic counselor couldn't hurt, just to see what options are available to you.

Please keep us posted on what you decide!

The Mods

snackcakegirl

Thanks farmerlucy and mods. I spoke with my uncle's genetic counselor last night and she is fully supportive of me testing. She said optimally my mother or remaining living aunts should do the testing as it would cast a wider net for the family. She also indicated that the fact my uncle is not positive does not mean our family does not carry the mutation but emphasized she still thinks I have very little chance of being a carrier.

She also has a much more complete family history that she is mailing (uncle provided permission) and I have a great aunt who died of ovarian cancer apparently. From her view, she is too far removed to support a greater risk but that it should not go unnoticed either.

At any rate, she said she thinks that BRCA positive or not, we have a genetic or hereditary predisposition for cancer on this side of the family just based on our history. I have just bought the Color Genomics test so wish me luck. After contacting my local genetic counseling specialists, the time, effort and co-pays for insurance to cover the testing would have been at least equal to the cost of the kit and this way I can control the process.

Thanks again

 

mkkjd60

Farmer, I just took the Color genomics. Can you tell me how you got your test results? Thanks

farmerlucy

I checked my account at Color and one day they were in. I knew they were coming because I had just called. It had been over twelve weeks. I think my results got a bit sidetracked early on because it doesn't seem to be taking so long now. The most valuable thing was the genetic counseling session. I'd recommend it regardless of results.

mkkjd60

Farmer, So there's no notice to your email that the results are in? Just keep checking at the site? I'm terrified of these results. My package just went out today. Also I have a mammo on Tuesday and I'm always jumpy before the mammo. Always feel like the other shoe is about to drop. I just want to say that I get so much from the info you post. Thank you!

farmerlucy

I don't recall an email but I feel like they have probably worked out a lot of kinks since April so I think an email would be completely appropriate. There is a question and answer area on their site so maybe check that. The chances of you having any mutation is not that great. Brcas are the most common at about 10% (???) in the general population. Their site is so informative. My only advice is "don't go there until and if you get there". Please let us know how everything goes.

kathy1925

I received my Color results today, after only a 3 week wait. I was notified by an email that the results were complete, which then included a link to their website. I felt the test was something I needed to do, as I had bilateral breast cancer, many occurrences of various cancer in my family history, and I have two adult daughters. I received negative results for the Color gene mutation testing, so am hugely relieved right now for my daughters' sake.

farmerlucy

Kathy - Glad you got the result you wanted. And in only three weeks! That's great!

Maureen1

I just got my Color results yesterday - only took about 4 weeks! I really appreciated the information and counseling they provided and found the process to be very easy....and thankfully...I don't have any of the 19 genetic mutations so hopefully I haven't passed along any increased risk to my kids due to "bad genes":) Thanks to everyone who helped get this information posted so we could get affordable and competent genetic testing!!

farmerlucy

Maureen

mkkjd60

Congrats to all who are getting negative Color Genomics results! I, too, received my negative results. It has brought some much needed peace. I am so thankful for this company. Good wishes to all who are still waiting for results.