22 and bad family history - how to take precaution?

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Keighty
Keighty Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Both of my grandmothers have had breast cancer - it was not caught early in paternal grandmother, metastisized to her lungs, and she ended up dying from it (this was before I was born - in the '80's).  My maternal grandmother survived and has been cancer free for years.  My mom and two of her three sisters have also had breast cancer.  My maternal grandmother's sister and a few of my mom's cousins have also had breast cancer.  Years ago, we did the genetic testing, but my mom and grandmother were negative for the specific trait they know to test for, but there is no denying there is something going on.  I have two female cousins in their 30's and 5 female cousins in their teens.  

Even though it is scary, I've kind of accepted the fact that I (and my cousins) will probably get breast cancer.  Is that a bad attitude to have, or is it better for us to have that mindset, be very vigilant, and be prepared for bad news?  Is there anything we should do to minimize our risk?  How much is too much?  I want to be healthy and do what I can to prevent it, but I don't want the fear to take over my life. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    I would tell you the same things I would recommend for my own daughter.  You can't change your family history of bc, but there are many things you can do: try to eat healthy, get plenty of exercise, don't smoke, only drink in moderation, try to maintain a healthy weight, breastfeed, do regular breast self exams and just be vigilant for any breast changes. Enjoy your life and don't dwell on something that may never happen!

    Anne

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  • KellyMaryland
    KellyMaryland Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2011

    this is quite a family history. i don't have one so can't speak to that.  would you be comfortable talking to your gyno about it? maybe even getting a referral to a breast specialist- there are many high-risk clinics out there that may be an option for you.  it may help you feel more in control if you are meeting with doctors who specialize in high-risk treatment.  they may be able to allay some of your fears, make lifestyle recommenations, recommend earlier breast imaging.  being armed with some extra knowledge and feeling that you are being cared for and respected by a breast professional may be just what you need to not let the fear get the best of you.  wishing you well, kelly

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2011

    You dont have a bad attitude.

    I would definitely talk to a dr who deals with high risk treatment and start getting MRI's early. Your insurance company probably will baulk because of your age, but because of your family history (and being young your breast tissue is more dense).

    ALSO..Google Christina Applegate  (yes the actress) She got cancer young and has strong family background. She is a HUGE advocate for young women at high risk. I bet you will find great insight and info in her efforts 

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited February 2011

    You might want to consider reading the book "Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life" by David Serban-Schrieber.  He is a neurologist (I think) who has battled cancer and done a lot of research about lifetyle changes, nutrition, supplements.  Very balanced, sensible, DO-ABLE approach. I have incorporated some of the changes he recommends into my lifestyle and it feels good to be taking action to prevent (in my case) a recurrance. In your case, it would be to prevent an occurance in the first place. His general concept is that you want to make your body as unwelcoming an environment for tumor cells to replicate. It might not work (who knows), but a few easy changes or supplements to take  - if they can tip the balance a few points in your favor, I think it's worth considering.

    But - once you make the changes you feel are relevant, then go on about your life and don't live in fear. None of us can predict the future (about bc or anything else) and life is too precious to spend extra time worrying about what 'might' happen.

    I have 2 daughters in their 20's and this is the advice I gave them.

    Good luck.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2011

    Keighty, some of the larger, NCI-designated teaching hospitals actually have high risk programs where they will evaluate your true risk based on family history.  Then, assuming you are at higher risk than the normal population, they will both teach you lifestyle changes, as suggested above, as well as monitor you more closely, which will give you a lot of peace of mind, in addition to catching any irregularity as early as possible.

    Here's a list of the NCI-designated cancer centers.  Start by calling the one closest to you and, if necessary, continue until you find one.  If by any chance you're in California, I know for sure UCLA has one.  http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/map-cancer-centers.html

    Genetics certainly is a risk factor.  But there are a lot of things you can do to hopefully minimize that additional risk.    Deanna 

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited February 2011

    Stanford Univ, Palo Alto CA has one too: ask for Dr. Allison Kurian, she's an oncologist with specialty in high risk genetics.  You are really smart to start a surveillance and lifestyle program now while you are young. 

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited February 2011

    The first thing, is to realize that most women who get BC don't even have family history, so you are not necessarily doomed just because of family history.  Second, just make sure you get mammos and ultrasounds.  Unless you have dense breasts, the mammos won't be of much use to you.   But until you get a first mammo, you won't know if you have dense breasts.

    Most important - self exams.   Get to know your body.   

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  • HealthyHabits4u
    HealthyHabits4u Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2011

    After last nights Dateline featuring Suzanne Somers, has anyone heard of Prevennia?  It was discovered at the Eppley Institute of Cancer Research by two award winning scientist.

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  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2011

    I would recommend that you do self-breast exams regularly (if you haven't already). Are you in the east coast? Sloan-Kettering has a breast surveillance program for those who are at high risk to develop breast cancer.

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  • AICa
    AICa Member Posts: 64
    edited February 2011

    My family is high risk. My daughters were told to have mammograms much more frequently than other women in their age groups (annually in their 30s).

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