BRCA and prostate cancer??

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lsugirl
lsugirl Member Posts: 49
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hi everyone.  I am waiting on my genetic test results this week (will be 2 weeks on Thursday) and am wondering if my father having prostate cancer at 54 could be a possible link to my getting BC at 40?  My maternal grandmother had DCIS in one breast at 76 and then a more aggressive type at 81 - she died of stomach cancer at 83 but NO relation to the BC.  My maternal aunt had DCIS in both breasts at 48 and opted for a bi-lateral MX.  She tested NEGATIVE for the BRCA gene.  We have a lot of cancer on my mom's side including my mother with bladder cancer but she has not had BC.  My paternal great aunt had BC when she was 48 and died 5 years later after it spread. 

Should I be worried that there is a chance I could be a carrier inheriting from my father's side?  None of my cousins on my dad's side have had BC - they are all under 50 still nor my aunt.  She is the only sister of my dad's siblings.  Anyway - just trying to understand this better and read somewhere that prostate cancer could be connected the mutation.

Thanks!! 

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  • Mutd
    Mutd Member Posts: 148
    edited September 2009

    Yes, Kim, men with BRCA mutations are at increased risk of prostate cancer, especially earlier in life. Especially BRCA2 mutations. It is still nowhere as high as breast cancer risk in women with the mutations, and there isn't any consensus about what the men should do to counter the risk.

     But yes, the cancer in you father increases the possibility that there might be a mutation lurking in this branch of the family. A professional Genetic Counselor would have discussed it with you ... so my guess is that you haven't seen one yet? Wishing you to receive your result quickly. Get back here with any questions about the results. And on facingourrisk.org forums there have been good discussions about the prostate ca connection, too. 

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  • lsugirl
    lsugirl Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2010

    Hi Mutd, thanks for the response.  Yes, I did meet with the genetics counselor and looked over my "flow chart" of cancer - mostly on my mom's side.  My father's side was only my grandmother - lung cancer (non-smoker), her sister (my great aunt) who died of BC and my dad with prostate cancer early.  My mom said my dad has had polyps removed from colonoscopies but no colon cancer in the family - whew!!  My uncle (dad's younger brother) had testicular cancer so I just found that out after my meeting.  Anyway - I would have thought with my grandmother (maternal) having BC in both breasts and my maternal aunt having the DCIS/IDC in both her breasts I would be at a bigger risk but the genetic counselor said not really - even with my aunt testing negative.  Like you said, it could come down from my father's side so we'll see.  Hopefully it will be negative but if not then my brother will have to get tested to see if he is a carrier b/c he has 2 precious little girls (5 and 7 mos.).

    Regardless of the test results, I'm having a bi-lateral mastectomy b/c I don't want to live on pins and needles and testing every 6 months to only have a nervous nelly radiologist call me back for biopsies.  My MRI showed a 3.5 cm "area of enhancement" and a new area 6 mm that couldn't be ruled either a mammary lymph node or new malignancy in my left breast - right breast was clear....as far as we know.  3.5 cm sounds big to me and even though it's still "in situ" - I'm still worried I have some invasiveness they haven't found.  So the genetic test would only cause me to have my ovaries removed which I guess I could wait as long as I can so I don't go into menopause.  I am ER/PR+ by the way so hormone replacement I guess is out. 

    Thanks for your response and I will definitely keep you posted as this is a great way for people to hear scenarios that might be like their own - it's comforting to find support in those that are or have gone through this journey.  I'm just anxious to hear the results.....they said it might be shorter than 2 weeks so we'll see.

    Have a great day and all the best to you!

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