Need for a genetic counselor?

bruinjamie21

Hi there. I'm 41, 3 kids, have a strong family history - Mom has had BC twice, maternal grandmother twice, 1st cousin at age 31. All are NEGATIVE for genetic mutations. Is there any reason that I MYSELF should visit a genetic counselor? I get MRIs and mammos and my surgeon told me that genetic testing of my MOM is what is most important, and that we've done. I just wonder if I'm missing something? Thanks.

ShetlandPony

I think it is important to understand that genetic testing can include just one gene to a limited panel of genes to a large panel of genes. So if you can find out exactly what your relatives were tested for, you and your mom can visit a cancer genetics expert, fill out a family tree showing all cancers in the family (Some genes confer a heightened risk for more than one type of cancer), show the reports, then see if there are relevant genes that have not yet been tested. Also, it can be important to know how long ago your relatives were tested, because updates to our knowledge of cancer genetics do happen. Some breast cancer panels will not include the Lynch genes, but there is accumulating evidence that they should. (MSH6, PMS2 etc.) A full cancer panel and not just breast cancer panel may be useful. You need input from a genetics expert, not just a surgeon or other doctor, as sometimes happens. It may be that ultimately your family is suspected to have a yet-unknown genetic mutation.

Yogatyme

A genetic counselor and testing could be beneficial.As Shetland Pony said, there are many genetic mutations. I can tell you that my genetic counselor told me that the BRCA mutations do not skip generations. However, the mutation can come from either parent. You know your mom doesn’t have it and it’s likely negative w your dad, but wo testing its only speculation.