brca 2 positive...what to do

This seems to be a highly controversial area for many BRCA+ women, based on different opinions that sometimes vary widely among gyn oncologists....a hot topic currently being debated. I would recommend 2 opinions from BRCA savvy oncologists and then decide what is best. Interestingly, a new study done at Cedars Sinai by the well known Dr. Beth Karlan directs this very same question and the clinical implications seem unknown with new findings of tubal remnants being left behind on/or near the uterus side, but most ovca seem to originate on the ovary side of the fallopian tubes. See link below for more information regarding this article posted on the FORCE web site.  Are you & your family aware of the FORCE organization specifically devoted to hereditary breast/ovarian cancers??!!

 http://www.facingourrisk.org/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=306&t=35474

Definitely a personal decision -- there is no right answer.  Age is also a factor and you didn't mention that.  I'm 51 so losing my ovaries is no big deal to me and the chemo has already put in menopause.  My daughter hasn't been tested yet but at 30, if she's positive, it's a much different decision.  I'll be supportive of whatever she is comfortable doing.  My mom, positive but age 80, second cancer dx last May with stage I IDC just had a lumpectomy and rads.  She is taking Femara but that as much as she is willing to do at her age.

Information has been important in our family.  My daughter is a strong researcher and has some additoinal access into databases because of her job working for a university prof.  So she has been using the FORCE website and her own research to learn as much as she can for the family.  She was able to determine that there a region on the BACR 2 gene that raises the risk of ovarian cancer to the level of the BACR 1 mutation.  But our mutation falls outside that area so, although it is higher than normal, it is not as high as BACR 1.  This is the type of information she is gathering so as relatives get tested and come back positive we can share this to help with their decision making.

The actual risk of breast cancer also depends on the specific type of mutation.  In our case the amount of information is so limited we don't know what the real risk is.  We assume it's high just because we don't know otherwise.

If your sister chooses to do so, talking with a couple of oncs sounds like a good suggestion.  Maybe try to get to a NCI designated cancer care center.

Ana, You must first register on the FORCE web site to have access to the articles. this can be done as guest and/or anonymously too.

Here is the link to the article mentioned from above:

Does risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy leaved behind residual tube?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20110118?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed