BRCA2 and Breast Cancer

hello there,

I was also HER2+, and BRCA2 positive. Finding out the BRCA status did change my surgical options. I was a Chemo first person, and had great response to the Herceptin, so was thinking lumpectomy and done. When I found out the results of the genetic test, it changed my surgical options. I went with BMX with immediate reconstruction, and oopherectomy same day.

I was 42 at age of diagnosis, None of my immediate family will be tested, so no idea what side it came from.

It is a personal decision, as everyone reacts differently when they find out they have the BRCA gene. I am at peace with the decisions that I made. My Doctors did not try to sway me either way, but just gave me the facts and let me come to my own decisions. I for one do not want to go thru Chemo again.  There is another really good website you might want to check out called FORCE, it deals with people who have the BRCA gene. Hope this helps. 

Janette -

I'm guessing that the 1958 in your name is your birth year.  We're the same age and share the BRCA 2 + mutation.

I was 2 months into neoadjuvant chemo when I got my results.  We already knew that I needed a modified radical mast on my left because of the cancer and I was trying to make the decision about the right.  Once I got the results I immediately decided on a BMX.  Surgery was last April. 

I'm so glad I had the BMX.  Not only did I never want to to through chemo again I was also concerned about having a "good" arm.  The lymphedema in my left arm is very mild but I have to watch it carefully and I'm going back to physical therapy after the first because I'm still having issues with internal chest wall scaring that keeps me from having good movement.  But my right arm is 100%.  The BS let me decide if she would do a SLN or not and I told her no because removing even one lymph node can cause lymphedema issues.  The right breast biopsy was totally clear and the nodes looked good.

Last October I had the laproscopic BSO (removed ovaries and fallopian tubes).  For that I went to a Gyn surgeon who specializes in hereditary cancers.  They did an extensive biopsy where they slice the tissue in to many thin specimens so they can look throughout the tissue for cancer.  And during surgery they do "washings" to look for cancer cells in the abdomen.  Everything was clear.

No recon for me.  Don't want it.  I love putting on my forms in the morning and having perky breasts all day.  Totally comfortable! Then I when it's time to relax I put my boobs away and get into my PJs.  I'm very happy with everything I did.