What Are the Odds?!

BreastCancerInMinneapolis

Hi all! I'm a new metster. I'm 35 with no family history of breast or gynecological cancers (we have had other cancers in the family, including my mother who died of multiple myeloma two years ago). I have been diagnosed de novo with metastatic breast cancer: one small lesion on my liver, and what are suspected to be lesions in my lungs (they were too small to be biopsied). I am currently in my first cycle of goserelin (Zoladex), letrozole (Femara) and Ibrance (palbociclib). This is all very unexpected. The good news is that I'm totally asymptomatic from the breast cancer--my side effects are coming from the meds.

So here's the real kicker: I just returned from genetic counseling today. The blood tests revealed no gene abnormalities like BRCA (along with many others they tested). But I just got a call from my 34-year-old sister. Due to my age, she decided to have a mammogram and breast MRI done--and the breast MRI revealed a small suspicious spot that needs to be biopsied--her report said birad 4, which I guess means a 30% chance of cancer. (I don't know what score mine was--the radiologist told me as soon as he saw the mammogram and ultrasound images that he knew I had breast cancer and that the biopsy was a formality.)

So my question is: what are the odds of breast cancer striking two sisters at the same time? Considering how surprised everyone was that I am metastatic, I'm hesitant to talk over odds, but has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks, and I am so glad this community exists. Happy New Year!

Kkrenz

Hello, and welcome to the group...although I'm sorry you have to be here. I too was diagnosed stage 4 de novo. I am 48. My sister had bc, stage 2 when she was 30 and is doing well today. My mother was diagnosed at 51, stage 2. She is also doing well. We are all BRCA negative. I was told by the genetic oncologist at Mayo that we likely have a mutation that has not been discovered yet. It was very wise of your sister to get the MRI. I wish I would have known to do this. I thought I was covered with my mammogram....not so. My mammos have always been clear, and continue to be clear. Perhaps if I had an MRI, they could have caught it early. Best wishes and stay warm. Its 19 below at my house.

zarovka

BCM - Someone knows these odds. It's higher. Even without genetic testing that links you both to a bad actor gene. I am just glad she got tested, glad they found it and glad you are doing well.

>Z<

illimae

Several years ago my aunt (mothers sister) was diagnosed Stage IV de novo in her 60’s, about 2 years later, my mother was diagnosed stage 1, also in her 60’s. After telling my PCP about my mother’s diagnosis, he ordered a mammo a month before my 40th birthday, which was clear. A year 1/2 later, I felt a lump and was diagnosed Stage IV de novo. Both my mother and I had genetic testing done, no mutations found but the geneticist thinks there’s something in a combination of genes that we just don’t know about yet. After my diagnosis at 41, I was told to advise all female maternal relatives to start getting tested at 31.

Grannax2

There are many of us that obviously have a gene mutation that has not been isolated yet. My family does. Ill never forget when I was tested and counseled many years ago. You don't have BRACA 1 or 2, therefore you have the same risk of recurrence as anyone else. WRONG

My material grandmother, my mother (3 DX), me (4DX) and my sister (stage 0 1 DX). My daughter gets vigilante care with a mammogram and MRI each year (she's 45). But, our gene mutation still has not been found.

Yes, what are the odds? No one knows.

BreastCancerInMinneapolis

It's so interesting to hear about breast cancer affecting whole families. The good news is that my sister's biopsy came back benign--so I am still the only one with breast cancer. (Gotta say, I wish my biopsy had come back benign!)

BreastCancerInMinneapolis

Kkrenz, you're being treated at Mayo? Me too!

ABeautifulSunset

My first cousin and I both got BC within a couple of years of each other, with no history in either of our families and neither one with a BRCA positive gene. I think it’s just random, this crazy disease. If one in eight women are being diagnosed, there are your odds right there.

Happy for your sister. Sorry you are joining us here. I’m almost seven years out from my mets dx, if thathelps you any.

Stefanie

Tina2

I was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer when I was just 38. My mother was diagnosed with it many later. She eventually developed metastases and died at 82 with other serious health problems.

I decided to get tested for the BRCA gene at my own expense when my mother was diagnosed. I don't have it.

The bad news: no one knows how this disease works yet.

The good news: I'm now 71 and still kicking.

Tina

Kkrenz

BreastCancerinMinneapolis - I received a second opinion, genetic counseling and my treatment plan from Mayo, but am actually having treatment in Fargo, ND.  It is closer to my house.  Mayo docs will review my records whenever I ask.  It is really nice to have them in my back pocket.