BRCA testing at young age

Anne89

Hello everyone

It happens I'm 20, my mother, 2 aunts, grandmother, and other relatives are fighting against ovarian, breast, and other types of cancer.

My mother and aunt have been tested positive for brca1 mutation (some kind of deletion), and doctors adviced that I am tested as well, and I'm doing so.

I know I kind of worry to much about it and I even haven't got the results, but I want to ask about how young people deal with this.

I just start wondering about things like: if you do have the mutation, how can you plan to have kids or something if there's a chance they can have ir as well? How does it affect your life decisions? What do you, guys, have done in order to don't let it become overwhelming?

I have talked about this with my psychiatrist and I get answes like: cherish every moment of your life, etc. And it's okay, but I would like to hear from someone who has actually gone through it, please.

Also, what preventive treatment did you choose? Doctors have told me about medicines like olaparib (and of course surgery in the future) in case it turns out positive, have any of you gone through these kinds of treatment?

Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer. Have a great day

BayouBabe

Anna89 - please be sure to visit FORCE, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, www.facingourrisk.org. There is a "Young Previvors Forum" there that I think would be helpful to you. So sorry you find yourself doing this research. One day, too, my children will have to be tested. Hope you get some good responses from members here.

lulu27

hello Anne89,

I am 25 years and my mother had breast cancer last year, thankfully it as caught at an early stage. Do to my family long history if cancer she decided to get some genetics testing done. She was positive for the brca2 gene. Now I am getting tested myself. I'll get the results this month. What was your results and if there were positive what were the recommendations?

vlnrph

A certified genetic counselor is the best person to have on your team in situations like these. They have master degree level training, more knowledge than even an oncology specialist, certainly better than an ob/gyn.

Any doctor who wants to order mutation testing should provide a referral, probably prior to obtaining a DNA sample. FORCE is an excellent resource. Many women opt for risk reducing mastectomies/oophorectomies.

Keep in mind that, by the time advanced treatment might be needed, the state of practice will have evolved with better understanding of the disease(s). You need to make the best decision possible with the information available at that point then try not to second guess yourself. Of course, this is much easier said than done!

By sharing our experiences now, we pave the way into the future for our daughters & sisters...

Mahlee93

Hi Anne,

I am 23 and due to be tested for BRCA-2 in two weeks time and I have the same questions and fears that you do. I don't fear for my children if I do test positive as I know that we will be proactive about their health. The BRCA-2 gene has been passed down on my fathers side and most women on his side of the family have tested positive and also passed away from ovarian and breast cancers. I am glad that I have learnt of this at a young age and I am eager to find out the results, whatever they may be. My biggest anxiety is having children as I have decided that if i test positive I will be having everything removed, this means that I may need to have children sooner than myself and my partner expected. I am thankful that I have a supportive partner and he will be supporting me as i go through the testing process and possible outcomes.