Did your doctors have you do BRACA testing after DCIS Dx.

I had no history of breast cancer in my family and was diagnosed with DCIS at 38.  Unfortunately, I tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation.  Even though I'm having a BMX, I have a higher risk of ovarian, prostate and melenoma cancer.  I think having that information is helpful, but I would ask your doctor.  However, don't let this scare you.  I believe it is somewhat unusual.

Hi Samon,

I was also diagnosed with DCIS and had no family history of breast cancer.  However, given my age at diagnosis (44) and since my grandma had ovarian cancer, the genetic counselor recommended that I get tested.  I did, and my results came back negative.  Insurance covered the entire cost of testing.

No family history here either. Diagnosed with DCIS in early 40s after a routine annual mammogram showed a cluster of micro-calcifications (no lump).

My bs wanted to get a "complete picture" before recommending lumpectomy or mastectomy (or bmx) so had me BRCA tested, along with having an mri on both breasts. Thankfully everything came back fine, but I was mentally preparing myself (as best as one can) for what would be my next steps had the mri or the genetic testing not come back favorably.

I also have a very high history of breast cancer in the family.  I tested BRCA negative.  Some other part of the chromosome must have a mutation that is allowing for the high rate of  cancer in my family.  You can test negative, not have a family history and still end up with breast cancer. I don't know if my other family members had DCIS or not, but all were caught too late.  One cousin developed ovarian cancer as well. Talk about the BRCA test with your oncologist and see if he/she wants you to have it or tell the doc you would like one if you so desire.

Agada

Like just about everybody else who has written, my DR ordered an MRI of both breasts and recommended the genetic testing to me because of my age at DCIS dx. Although I have one aunt who died of breast cancer at age 40, my (Roman Catholic) family is so damn large that I was not considered to have a strong family history of BC. None of my first degree relatives had BC, but my insurance paid for it because of my age. The test is really expensive (over $3,000 where I live) so hopefully your insurance will pay for it. I made sure to have the test before my scheduled lump because I would have opted for BMX instead if I was positive. Luckily, I was negative. I also wanted to know, as several people mentioned, so that I could tell my sister and niece that they were at greater risk if I tested positive. Finally, one of the recommendations for BRCA+ women is oopherectomy. My genetic counselor told me that if I tested positive, I might be at 80% chance of getting ovarian cancer. 

So to recap my longwinded post. Reasons for you to get tested if you can:

(1)  good information for your family to have

(2) have an ooph or try to monitor yourself for ovarian cancer more closely 

Hi Samon,

I'm 45 and my sister had breast cancer. The genetic counselor took my information and determined that I qualified for the BRCA test, but her analysis determined that my chance of testing positive is 6%. I provided samples by swishing with Scope and expectorating into a plastic container. I'll have the results in 2 weeks. I'm considering a lumpectomy and radiation now, but if the results come back positive I'll be reconsidering my treatment. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect so this is one measure that I can take to understand my risk.