Does BRCA2+ increase met chances?

Carlatap
Carlatap Member Posts: 96
edited June 2014 in Genetic Testing

Hello BRCA sisters, I'm am finally seeing the end of the tunnel after breast cancer in 09, (2nd time), chemo, radiation, testing positive for BRCA mutation, having an oomph, followed by a bilateral mast. with tram flap. Although I had the mast. in August of 2010, b/c of complications I am just finally feeling stronger most days and not so sore. The problem is the on going pain I have in my lower back and hips. I am back to the gym with being able to strengthen my leg muscles with the bike and walking the treadmill. I am taking naproxin once in the AM, and 1 in the PM when I go to bed. The pain continues. I see my onc in February. I had blood work done b/c I still get fatigued quicker than I think I should. It came out normal. I am just about 52 years old. The question I have is this: Does having the BRCA2+ mutation increase your chances of mets even though I have had my breasts removed along with the ovaries? My tumor was triple negative so I already know my chances of recurrance is high especially for the first 3 to 5 years. And I am really afraid of finding out I have mets to spine and hips, and wondering if the BRCA2+ increases the odds of mets.

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  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited January 2011

    I asked my dr this same question. While I am not TN, I did test positive for BRCA 2. His answer to me was no. He explained to me that it has something to do with how each individual responds to the treatment. He said I have done everything that I can, and completed the year of Herceptin. Now we go to every 6 month appts, but I am to let them know if anything seems out of the ordinary. He does not automatically due scans and tests at each appt. Just normal bloodwork.

    He also told me that the biggest problem with women who have completed treatment is what to do next? Meaning the active treatment is done and most don't know what to do next. The answer is live your life!  Hope this helps.

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  • Carlatap
    Carlatap Member Posts: 96
    edited January 2011

    Thank you, stlcardsfan, for replying. That brings me a lot of relief. I will just continue what I'm doing with my exercising and eating healthy and hope for the best!  I hope you continue to do well too!

    Thanks again,

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  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited January 2011

    Best of luck to you as well!

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  • golfergrandma
    golfergrandma Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2011

    My BRAC test is tomorrow.  I recently had a second mastectomy after 10 years since my first.  My onc told me I should have my ovaries removed.  Am currently on CMF chemo every 3 weeks for 6 months and will have the ovary surgery after that.  My Onctype score was 24 and that's why am having the chemo now.  The recent mastectomy was ER, PR+ with clear nodes.  Will let you know what my BRAC score is.

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  • Cydz
    Cydz Member Posts: 157
    edited February 2011

    Carla, you may find this interesting as well. I have seen a couple articles about how being triple negative and BRCA positive actually has a better prognosis than just being triple negative without the mutation. This is also something my onc has said to me. Here is a link. Some good news in a sea of bad news about being triple negative! Good luck!

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100929191314.htm 

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  • Carlatap
    Carlatap Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2011

    Thank you, Cydz. This is very encouraging!  Now, as I opened up BreastCancer.org, I just read about the PARP findings too-that they are not as spectacular as they had hoped. Thats a real bummer. I just had my bone scan come out clear....Yeah! But my onc wants me to go for a chest CAT scan b/c he doesn't like all the bumps he's finding around my reconstruction site. I believe that they are all fat necrosis-dead fat areas that have hardened. If its not one thing its another. But I am truly grateful for how thorough my onc is. I hope all is well with you Cydz.

    Golfergrandma, how are you doing? How is your treatment going? Hope you are remaining strong. Chemo and all that is a part of chemo treatment can be soooo difficult. I hope you are doing alright. Thank you for your response.

    Ivorymom, thank you also for responding. I had cancer in my rt breast in 02, and then in my left in 09, so when I found out that i was BRCA2+ I had a bilateral mast. with tram flap reconstruction in Aug. of 2010 --the hardest thing I have ever been through, including chemo. But I hope this makes the beast harder to return. I hope you are doing well,

    Carla

    Thanks again. Take care,

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  • golfergrandma
    golfergrandma Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2011

    I didn't qualify for the brca test because of my family history.  Noone in my family had breast cancer before their 60's (myaunt).  However, my gyn said the fact that I had two different kinds of bc within 10 years was the same as having my sister and I having bc.  Am hoping this will make me eligible.  So far, I am tolerating the chemo tx okay, but have just had one.  My next tx is Wed.  Hope everyone is doing alright.  I was told by me onc that I should have my ovaries removed as a preventative measure, but my gyn is not very receptive to the idea.  He said if I would be BRCA negative, my chances of getting ovarian cancer are the same as the general population.  He wants me to have the BRCA test, but it costs $3300 if it's not covered by Medicare.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited February 2011

    Medicare will cover the testing.  Your onc or gyn may have to write a letter jusitifying it but they will pay it.  The genetics counselor recommendation was all we needed for my mom.  However medicare only paid for the first two sequencing tests and not the last one which is BART.   They found our mutation in the first two.  I don't remember the cost of BART - I think it was in the $500 range.

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