BRAC RESULTS

Options
MillieD
MillieD Member Posts: 60

I would like someone's feedback on this.  I was BRAC1 negative and BRAC2 (Favor Polymorphism)  would you consider having your ovaries removed if this was your diagnosis.  The gene specialist told me that i should consider it as a negative.   My BS is not worried about it.  I'm having BL mx with t/e on May 13. 

Comments

  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited April 2009

    Well, I'm BRCA 2 pos, so I've had a double mast and will have ovaries out sometime this year when recon is finished.

    In your case, I would want to know your age, if you've finished having children, and if you've been prescribed something like Tamoxifen.  All those would play into my decision.

    Just based on your gene results, I would say no.  However, the above factors play into the decision, too, IMO.

  • MillieD
    MillieD Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2009

    Hi Emily

    I'm 49 years old.  No moree children for me.  I haven't been prescribed anything because I haven't had my surgery.  However, my BS said i would probably be on Tamoxifen.

  • Mouser
    Mouser Member Posts: 245
    edited April 2009

    Hi --

     The short answer is: the news is good. The test did not detect a cancer-associated mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2. Also, BRCA-negative people *don't* seem to be at increased risk for ovarian cancer - the increased risk seems ot be due to BRCA-positives. (So my sister was told - so she had herself tested to see if she should have her ovaries out.)  

    The long answer... The reference to the "favor polymorphism" means that you do have a somewhat unusual BRCA2 gene. It has a rearrangement of its DNA -- but not one that has been associated with cancer. In fact, they seem to be pretty sure that it's *not* associated with bc. (It's very hard to prove a negative, so they can't say it's *proven* not to be relevant to bc - but they seem to be sure enough. Most people have such 'polymorphisms' somewhere in their genome -- the word refers to genetic variants present in more than 1% of the population. The best-known example is the ABO blood types -- no clear advantage to any one type; they are just differences. As far as they can tell, this is also true of the favor polymorphism.

    cheers, mouser

  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited April 2009

    Tamoxifen is supposed to be good insurance for us ER/PR + women.  You'll probably be monitored via vaginal ultrasound to keep an eye on your endometrial lining, which can increase in thickness due to the drug. 

    If I were in your situation, I probably wouldn't have them removed.  Ovarian cancer is not common, and you're not in a high risk group, even with having breast cancer.

Categories