Do We Need To Worry About our Sons and BC?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Is this something I should be concerned about because I had Stage III BC?  We normally get so overwhelmed with concern for our daughters, and sisters,  but do our son's need to be more aware of their breast health?

image

Barb

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2010

    Barb.....yes I worry about my son, but that is only because men too can get BC...but because I am not BRCA +, I don't worry about him as the way I do for my daughters....I guess after having BC, worry is our middle name!!!!

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  • allalone
    allalone Member Posts: 448
    edited January 2011

    Shanagirl : As Karen said, if you don't have a family history of BC, or any cancer, there is no risk to your son - and I'd even go so far as to say your daughters have no risk either. (That's just my opinion, not a fact). Being Stage III means that our cancer was dx late - that's all. And without family history, our cancer was caused by something other than genetics - and as yet nobody knows exactly what that something was. If it''s environmental, then theoretically we are all at risk. But I wouldn't go putting the fear of "C"  into your son's head -- or your daughters' - because chances are that your C, like mine, was just a freaky thing and your children will be fine.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited December 2010

    I haven't been tested for the BRCA gene, so I do worry about it for my son.  I don't think I worry about it as much as I would if I had a daughter, but I do worry. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    I was just wondering because I know men also can get BC.  I've thought of this privately but have never mentioned it to my sons or my daughters.

    image

    Barb

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    shanagirl-----all women are at risk for bc (12.5%===1 in 8 lifetime risk) just by virtue of being female. Your daughter's risk would be doubled (25%) due to your having bc. I think your son would only be at increased risk if you were BRCA positive.  But bc can affect males too, so men should be aware of it as well. (but the incidence in males is much much lower).

    \

    Anne

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited December 2010

    Barb- I tested BRCA negative, but have a strong family history.  My BS said that my two sons, now ages 1 and 3, should begin being checked at the age of 25 and that their pediatrician should be aware of the history as well.  Since I have been going through surgery etc with a 1 and 3 year old the pediatrician is pretty aware of everything, and is AWESOME.  Always better to be safe than sorry I always say.  I would have your sons aware that there is a minuscule chance so your just being careful.   

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited December 2010

    The following put men at a higher risk,

    "Radiation exposure, high levels of estrogen, and a family history of breast cancercan increase a man’s risk of developing breast cancer.

    Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for breast cancer in menmay include the following:Being exposed to radiation.Having a disease related to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) orKlinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder).Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have analteration of the BRCA2 gene." In increase in estrogen is of course related to obesity, since estrogen will find a home in fat cells, whether in men or women. Obesity is a risk factor, regardless of gender 
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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited December 2010

    My oncologist told me that my sons are at a increased risk of not only breast cancer but also prostate and testicular cancer because I have breast cancer. She said they should be checked on a regular basis. Edited to add that I am BRCA 1& 2 negative.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2010

    My kids also have a family history (husbands side) of Prostate Cancer, so I just worry, worry, worry for both of them!

    I think they will get a lot of nagging for screening when they are older.

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2010

    Laurie,

    I have the same situation. My oldest son will be 25 2011. What kind of testing? Mammogram? Ouch...Or just palpation by doctor? 

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  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited December 2010

    I'm very much worried for my sons and with good reason.

    On my mom's side of the family there are 2 kids. My mom and her brother. Both had breast cancer. My uncle had to have a mastectomy. My mom did as well. Both of their parents died of cancer (colon and multiple myleoma) nearly all of their first cousins on my mom's side have/had some sort of cancer. Mainly breast, prostate and colon.

    My mom was negative for BRACA. My oncologist said he doesn't care what the BRACA test said, there is definitely something genetic going on in our family to be wary of.

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited December 2010

    carcharm- Where my sons are so small now my BS said she hoped in 25 years they will have a new way to test, but she said most likely just by a chest exam feeling for lumps etc. 

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited December 2010

    I worry.  Every single day.  I look at my son and can only pray that he will never have to go through what I went through.  He's my baby!!!  My brother was d/x this past summer with gastric lymphoma so I will continue to worry until he is old enough for testing.

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2010

    I pray that the vaccine that Dr. T. at CCF is testing is successful so that like the HPV vaccine it prevents breast cancer

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited December 2010

    I don't worry about this.  Even with the BRCA mutation in the family.  If my son or brothers are positive it only raises their risk from 1% to 6%.  At the "Buffet of Rotten Things to Have" this dish is way back and almost out of reach.

    The prostrate cancer is of more concern and that risk is raised to 20% with BRCA positive men.  Those are lifetime risk numbers so it the chances of having BC or prostrate cancer by the age of 70.  Not sure what the normal prostrate cancer risk is.

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited January 2011

    I read that men in general have a 1 in 6 lifetime risk of prostate cancer, which is huge, so moving to 1 in 5 risk (20%) is not that big of a step up.  Apparently if a man lives long enough he will get prostate cancer no matter what.  Poor guys.

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