4 deceased and 4 surviving breast cancer victims in my family

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ashslillian9
ashslillian9 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I just went in for my yearly exams and found 2 lumps in my left breast and 1 in my right. Not knowing my dad, but knowing that side of the family had issues with breast cancer, I made my phone calls and found out that My grandmother and both of her sisters died of breast cancer, 1 of my aunts died, 1 surving aunt of breast cancer and 2 second cousins and one 1st cousin all survivers. All of them discovered breast cancer in their early 30's and the four that did not make it died between the ages of 34 and 38. I am getting ready to do the mamorgram and genetic testing but I feel like, due to my history and just turning 31, this is not likely to turn up negative. So far my breast feel swollen around the armpit side allong with some sore areas. I can feel the lumps easily. The worst part is the waiting to know anything. I dont know if this has anything to do with it, but I've also had some hair growth around my nipples. I very scared and I have no idea what to expect. I would appreciate if anyone could tell the symptoms that they felt in the begining and anyone that could offer encouragement. Thank you everyone!

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited June 2013

    I had no symptoms but wanted to post as I have a strong family history and am BRACA negative.  My paternal grandmother had two sisters and two cousins pass from breast cancer.  My maternal grandmother died in her 30's from breast cancer, her sister as well.  My mother passed from breast cancer at the age of 57 and I was diagnosed at 34.  Think positive about survival.  IF you have breast cancer the treatments that are offered now did not exist even a year ago.  Take each day one at a time and each decision one at a time and try to be positive as best as you can.  I read a lot (fiction) it helped me to get through the nights and the worries.  Hugs.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited June 2013

    There was an excellent thread here not too long ago about what symptoms women did or did not have prior to being diagnosed.  I'll try to find it for you, but in the meantime, if anyone knows the one I mean, please post a link for ashslillian9.  

    What sounds like a strong family history doesn't necessarily mean you'll test positive for a known genetic link (BRCA 1 or 2).  And remember, diagnosis and treatment has changed greatly since your grandmother's generation was your age.  Just being aware of your risk is huge, because you may be able to tweek health & lifestyle things to lower your risk.  The hair growth around your nipples, for example, could be a clue that your hormones are imbalanced, something a knowledgeable naturopathic or integrative doctor will be able to help you determine, to lower your future risk, since estrogen dominance can be a risk factor.

    I'll try to find that thread I mentioned for you, but remember, knowledge is power, and you've come to a great place to get information that can help you understand and manage your risk.  (((Hugs)))  Deanna

    PS ~ Here's a link to that thread I had in mind:  http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=83&id=784673&page=1  If the link doesn't work, use the Search box (to left).  The thread's title is Breast Cancer Symptoms, a Comprehensive List.

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited June 2013

    I didn't notice any synptoms but I was told that I looked gray.

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  • BlueSky5
    BlueSky5 Member Posts: 46
    edited June 2013

    To the original poster: have any of your relatives who had BC been BRCA tested? Because if not and you test negative that result is inconclusive or not helpful.  If your relatives who had BC young test negative and you test negative there could be a different gene causing the cancer that is not tested by current BRCA testing.  I have never heard of hair around the nipples being related to BC because most women get hair there as they age - I guess it is related in the sense that both cancer risk and body hair increase with age.

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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited June 2013

    I so this post and wanted to respond as it is appropriate to my family.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41 (I just turned 49), my aunt had stage 0 diagnosed at age 60.  My youngest sister was diagnosed at age 42 in 2010 and passed away last year at age 44.  My older sister who is 50 may now have bc as well.  She went for her regular mamogram/ultra sound in January, got called back for more testing...her doctor recommended she have an MRI due to high risk first degree family history.  She went back for more testing and they said she had a few cysts.  In the meantime, she had to go to genetic counselling to get into the "High Risk" screening program which would get her the MRI.  She had the MRI on May 22 and got called back for further investigation.  Final tests incuding ultrasound confirmed she has a 1cm lump in her right breast and is awaiting a biopsy on June 17.

    My youngest sister who died was tested for the BRCA1 and 2 gene a few months before she died and it came back negative.  I have never been tested but will be going within the next year so that I can get into the High Risk screening program.  With two sisters and a possible third (first degree relatives) having bc there has to be a genetic link somewhere.  As other posters have said their are genes that may be genetic that have not been identified as of yet.  Nothing else makes sense.

    When you said you went for your Yearly Exams, was that a mamogram or Physical?  If you havent had a mamogram, I would ask your doctor to do one to find out what the lumps are.   Having hair growing around your breast does not sound like a symptom of breast cancer.   Its hard to say without having testing done if it is bc because everyone presents differently.  Some women have no visible lumps, some lumps are benign conditions, some women have pain others dont.

    Here in Canada they have criteria for doing genetic testing - you have to be diagnosed with bc and have three first degree family members.  Ie. sisters, mother.  I am not sure about aunts and cousins and the age that they are diagnosed is also taken into account.  In my case my aunt was not considered familly history as she was diagnosed in her 60's.

    All the best to you in finding out what the lumps are.

    Michele

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