Dad just tested positive for BRCA2 - What do I do now?

shrnbrbz · December 2012

Hi -

I just found out that my dad tested positive for BRCA2 6174delT. He was tested after his sister developed breast and ovarian cancer and was found to carry the mutation. He says I need to be tested too. After looking into the implications for a positive result I am overwhelmed and scared. I tried calling some testing centers today to get information but I'm not getting any calls back. I'm not sure what to do now or where to go first. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

exbrnxgrl · December 2012

Hi shrnbrbz,

I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. To help you understand the implications of a positive result and the choices you may be facing, if you are positive, I reccommend that you find a center that offers not just the test (which is a simple blood draw) but genetic counseling. Call your primary care pysician or ob/gyn for a referral to a genetic counselor. I had the BRCA test after my bc diagnosis due to familiy history and ethnicity but had to go through genetic counseling and take an on-line class on the BRCA test and all it's implications. I was negative but it was good to know what it all really meant as I have two daughters and a granddaughter. Wishing you the best.

Caryn

shrnbrbz · December 2012

I'm scheduled to go see a genetic counselor and have the test done after the first of the year. I'm super nervous about the potential results. I never thought I would have to deal with something like this. I have longevity on both sides of my family. When I was born, most of my great-grandparents were still alive and two died when I was in my teens in their 90s. My mom's parents lived into their 90s and my dad's father died at 96. The only person in my immediate family to ever have had cancer previously was my grandmother who was diagnosed and died in her late 70s (though her sister did have breast cancer and died in her 50s). Now this situation with my aunt has me worried.

SelenaWolf · December 2012

Remember that being BRCA+ doesn't mean that you are, automatically, going to get cancer. It does mean that you are at higher risk of developing certain cancers than the general population, but many BRCA+ carriers never develop cancer. Knowing that you are BRCA+; however, means that you will be able to create a "risk management" programme with your doctor(s) going forward that will help you closely monitor your health and that of your family.

Good luck.

Zeeba · December 2012

Hi--If you haven't already, have a look at FORCE--www.facingourrisk.org--the organization focuses on all issues related to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and has been an amazing resource for me since I found out about my BRCA2+ back in July. I had genetic counseling and it really helped me understand my risks and options and I developed a treatment/surveillance plan based on what I learned. Best of luck to you.

Dad just tested positive for BRCA2 - What do I do now?

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