high risk--- family history

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SHAWNALYNN9475
SHAWNALYNN9475 Member Posts: 2

My mother has stage IV breast cancer (diagnoised June 2004) she takes herceptin monthly and is living her life as normal as possible.  She tested negative for the BRCA 2. My mother, Grandmother and Aunt all have been diagnoised with breast cancer premenapausial.  I'm in the beginning process of having the PBM with nipple sparing. I'm done having kids and now it's time to get rid of these time bombs on my chest.

My question is my breast Dr moved back to the east coast about two years ago and I haven't started back with another Dr yet even thou I'm suppose to be on a 6 month check up plan(Ive had two kids in the last few years don't yell at me)  In 2006 I had a Biopsy that came back negative.

I know that I'm not going to have the procedure done in the town I live in, How do I make or get a referral to a Dr in the Mission Viejo, Ca area... I'm not sure how to go about that.  I'm sure I'm making it more complicated than it needs to be, but can someone answer that?

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited July 2011

    I did an elective Bmx. Almost.  During the process---mammo clean Ned --see you next year, Next step was a Mri to support the elective Bmx-----bingo Bc. I had a bmx. My bc was very agressive, had I not been going through the elective process-seriously question if I'd be here now. My final path report showed it included the nipple. When I hear about nipple spaing mx's I get nervous. Projection of my own situation ---yes. With a significant family hx. If the nipple can be a culprit, is it worth your life. My choice was it wasn't to begin with, then it turned out it could have been the time bomb. To each his own path--------good luck with your choices

  • Dlia
    Dlia Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2011

    I was diagnosed with bc on June 30th. I have a family history of bc in two of my sisters who are both doing chemo, my mom's sister and her daughter both had it, now to find out that my dads sisters and some of their daughters all had bc too. The worst part is the waiting and not having all the answers. My doctor pushed the surgery back to give my brca results a chance to come back. I'm scheduled for surgery Aug 1st. His recommendation so far is lumpectomy, radiation and the oral meds for five years, but he says that if the brca test come back that I have the gene his recommendation may change. Not sure if it's her2, estrogen/progesterone or TN. Still have peace just need patience...

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited July 2011

    Shawnalynn,

       Something you stated concerns me...you said,"She tested negative for BRCA2 gene." Was there a known BRCA2 mutation in your family? Were your grandmother or aunt tested? If not your Mom should have had "full sequencing" to rule out the possiblility that she has a mutation of the BRCA1 gene. This is standard protocol if a mutation has not previously been identified ina family OR if the patient is of Ashkenasi Jewish descent,

    Am concerned that you have not spoken with a Certified Genetics counselor to get the BEST INFORMATION available ,

    an alternative is to go

    www.facingourrisk.org

    FORCE , for those who are considered high risk due to personal or family history of breast and or ovarian cancer and/ or those who have  a  confirmed BRCA mutation,

    Marcia

  • Dlia
    Dlia Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2011
    Got a call a few minutes ago on a Sunday, from the genetic counsellor that I do not have the cancer gene!!!  Smile
  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited July 2011

    Dlia,

    Congratulations! that is wonderful news

    That said I must remind you that your family history trumps genetic testing as far as you staying vigilant...I let my guard down and was blindsided 2 years later by a Stage 2B diagnosis,



    Warmly,

    Marcia

  • SHAWNALYNN9475
    SHAWNALYNN9475 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2011

    Thank you for the info, I so appreciate it... I'm setting up an appointment with a Genetic specialist.

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited July 2011

    http://www.nsgc.org/FindaGeneticCounselor/tabid/64/Default.aspx







    Shawnalynn and all,

    The above link with help you find a Certified Genetics Counselor in your area. In most cases insurance will cover your consult with a referral from your Onc. , Breast Surgeon etc.



    Best wishes, Marcia

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2011

    Thanks Marcia for posting those helpful links! In addition, the main Breastcancer.org site has a ton of great information on Genetic Testing, including resources: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/genetic/

     Hope this is helpful!

    --The Mods

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

    Shawnalyn, I've had great care at Newport Diagnostic in Newport Beach, Ca. They are near Fashion Island, so maybe 15 minutes or so from Mission Viejo. There Women's Center has breast specialists and nurses there who are wonderful. They are very knowledgeable and caring. All the tests,  scans and biopsies,etc. are done in house and you get results within the hour after mammograms and ultrasounds. I've felt really taken care of- especially after reading some of the wait times and delays some of the women on this board have had. Get your Gynocologist or primary care physician to refer you to them. They will need to do a full workup on you since it's been awhile since your last set of tests.

     www.newportdiagnosticcenter.com

    Good luck!

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