24 and recently found out I'm BRCA1 positive
only recently found out I'm brca1 positive. Even though my mom is also positive I actually don't know too much about it. But I would luv to hear others story. I have decided I'm going to have a double mastectomy but as I'm only 24 and don't hav children I'm scared about the ovarian side of things
Comments
-
Hi there, I am also BRCA1 positive. I am 31 y.o.
Haven't got cancer myself, no. But all the female relatives on my dad's side died of cancer (breast, ovarian and throat) when they were over 60 and 70. My grandma (dad's mom) was 77 when she passed away of ovarian cancer. She had breast cancer in her 50-s as well. So it is something to do with menopause (post menopausal cancers).
I have decided that I am NOT going to remove either breasts or ovaries. I was at the hospital talking to a genetisist who wanted to forward me further to a surgeon in order to discuss the mastectomy procedure. I took my decision to not remove anything out of my body unless I have a lump. Meanwhile I have decided to be proactive and educate myself as much as possible about the do's and don't's when it comes to cancer. It is so much information available right now on the matter of prevention. Tons and loads.
There are diets, supplements, integrative doctors and nutritionalists that can help when it comes to prevention. So I have taken this path now and I want to live my life as natural as possible.
I am currently studying medicine (going to become a doctor) and I am a teacher and a pharmacy technician as well. My personal interest for health and prevention of desease is huge.
In the beginning after getting the results of the blood tests I wished for a double mastectomy, but the hospital did not promise me good-looking breasts as an end product. Besides where I live (Norway) they insert saline pouches (not the body fat), so that was just out of the question for me. Otherwise I would have to pick a private clinic I like and pay for everything from my own pocket. No thanks. I cannot afford it just yet.
When it comes to the removal of my ovaries, I am firm in my decision. Their absence would mean a hormonal havoc for my body. I would no longer feel young, my joints will start aching, I will have nightsweats, hot flashes, brain fog etc. No thanks. My sis who is a breast cancer survivor, by the way not BRCA positive, is only 36 but she is now suffering from all these nasty menopausal symptoms. Her ovaries stopped functioning after the chemotherapy.
Please, keep in mind that most of all the breast cancer cases are NOT BRCA positives. The ovarian cancer risk is a lot higher for all of us BRCA ladies when our ovaries do not function the way they have been before, i.e. when we reach menopause.
You are still very young and I think that you should not think about your ovaries just yet. If they promise you great looking breasts however, well, it's your choice. Please make sure you read on the dangers of hormonal pills and hormonal IUDs among BRCA positive women (simply do a google search to find articles and studies about that). My advise - never put any synthetic hormones into your body EVER. There are other prevention methods that are non-hormonal (condoms, copper IUDs) out there. Use these instead.
Good luck! God bless!
-
If you haven't already seen it - go to the web site www.facingourrisk.org
"FORCE" has good, current information and offers the opportunity to connect with other women dealing with the same issues.
-
hello, I'm 23 and I found out I had BRCA1 & BRCA2 when I was 17. My dad has the genes that have come from my grandmother who had breast cancer twice and died of ovarian cancer at 60, my auntie also had breast cancer twice and died of ovarian cancer at 46. There isn't much information on my risk as it's unusual to have both so I see a breast surgeon regularly who researches in the genes and she's been seeing me every year to see whether I've decided to have the mastectomy or not. Really unsure what to do I just know that the years keep passing by quickly. I've got a 2 year old son as well that I have asked to be tested but not allowed until he is at the right age to give consent, would rather have him tested because then if he isn't carrying the genes I wouldn't have anymore children so I could stop it, there doesn't seem to be a way round it. I would like to live a natural life but after seeing what my aunt and nana have been through I'm too scared not to have the mastectomy and hysterectomy just don't really want to be having them done at a young age.
-
Hi Charliebob, sorry to read of your situation, but welcome to BCO.
You may find some useful articles on our main site like BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing to Predict Breast Cancer Risk and What to Do if Your Genetic Test Results Are Positive .
We certainly hope that your son is clear of especially the BRCA2 gene, that impacts male risk of BC.
You have some difficult decisions to contemplate, at such a young age, but at least you know that info now and can formulate a plan for the future.
Wishing you the best.
The Mods
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team