Young friend BRACA positive

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thatsvanity
thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I have a young friend age 30, she tested positive for BRACA I II. I've told her if she wants a PBMX I will raise the money so she can have a PBMX, but I think she thinks she will be fine if she eats correctly. Any advice I could give her? I don't want to overstep any boundaries, it's her body, but I love her dearly.

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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2012

    Her mother died 7 years ago of BC at a young age, and she helped me when my sister was dying of BC so she has seen it kill her loved ones, maybe I should be a little pushy with her....

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited January 2012

    Definately make sure she has all the facts and encourage her to see various doctors to get information about the disease, but try not to push to hard.  Its a terrifying reality :)  I had to tell my sister she prolly has a 50/50% change of being BRCA 2+ and all that it entails.  I gave her myknowledge and recs on the problem, but the rest is up to her really.  Some women need time to adjust to whats happening before the jump in, some women just get-er-done :)  The best thing you can do as a friend is support her no matter what she decides.  Is it possible for her to get the MRI's in addition to mammograms? Every six months, has she had kids, is that why she is waiting....  Good luck, you are in a most difficult place, but you seem like an amazing friend!

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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2012

    Thank you minimac,

    That is good advice, I think up are right she just needs to take it all in and process the information. It took a long time for her to take the BRACA testing even though her sister is positive also. She sees her doctor, so that is old not sure about the MRI's. Im the get-er-done type---I like your phrase lol. I'll just stand beside her and be there for her and support her choices. Thank you so very much,

    Amy Lynn

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  • klynnz
    klynnz Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2012

    I too have a friend who I wish would take the test, but I can understand why she doesn't want to. Some people need a while to digest this kind of real possibility...

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  • beepbeep
    beepbeep Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2012

    Does she have BRCA 1 or 2? I couldn't tell from your post. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't one more dangerous than the other? If she has no breast abnormalities right now, she does have the option of surveillance. She might be more comfortable with that. I know you are an advocate of mastectomy and that's wonderful. I'm personally envious of you for having that extra peace of mind. It seems like a no-brainer to get that done if you are BRCA positive.... but some women can't handle it. Surgery is a scary thing for so many people. I would gently recommend it to her and help get all of her questions answered. But support whatever she chooses. If you can't get her to have the surgery, beg her to have breast screening twice a year. Beg!!! Good luck and I'm so sorry you are worried about your friend.

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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2012

    Thanks beep beep,

    I think she is BRACA 1 and 2. Her sister had a PBMX and a a full hysterectomy with ovaries. I think I will let her know of all the good information on these boards and tell her she might want to check it out. Medical decisions for oneself are so unique and personal one can really only share their own experience and let it go... Even in the last days of someone on hospice, hospice encourages all decisions be made by the patient themselves. We drive our own cars and bodies.

    Thank you for you input, and she does have fibrocystic breasts, but I done think that is a concern?

    Amy Lynn

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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2012

    Before I had my PBMX and long before my sister died of BC, I thought women were out of their minds who had PBMX. I thought they were like Jerry springer type crazy. Now that I have had a PBMX, it was a good choice for me, but I hope I wouldn't persuade someone to have a PBMX. I just didn't want to have a lot of screening and take tamoxifin.

    But it's weird I never thought in a million years I would lose my beloved sister to BC and I would have a PBMX never, ever, ever, ever! When my sister and I turned 41 me 43 the shit really hit the fan! In our minds we were still 21, we didn't think anything could hurt us. But that's life isn't it...

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