Anyone use 23andme for their BRCA results?

LISTEN TO THE BCO PODCAST ABOUT 23ANDME. Or read the transcript. Sorry for yelling but it was pretty new when I happened to be doing 23andMe. Bottom line is it only tests for three genetic mutations, all of which are found in Ashkenazy Jews. There are many many more and you really need a more complete test. I’m on my phone or I’d post a link but 23andMe is not nearly sufficient.

Hi there,

It sounds like you and I have the exact same treatment regimen (6 rounds of carboplatin/tacotere, herceptin, and Perjeta every 3 weeks. Definitely do the genetic testing through your hospital vs 23 and Me. I was told they have identified 19 different breast cancer genes, and 23 and Me screens for only 2. I have my genetic testing next week. Just finished round 2 of 6 of the chemo, so surgery will be in Sept for me.

Genetic testing is only one factor that goes into your decision about what to do during surgery (lumpectomy vs masectomy). For me, I have dense breast tissue (along with 40% of the population), so mammos are not effective in detecting lumps for me. I am smaller chested (B/C cup), and I found the lump on my own while laying in bed just over a month ago. I had a diagnostic mammo shortly after that, and then I also had a breast MRI (due to my dense breast tissue). The breast MRI detected a 1 cm lump on my opposite breast that the mammo completely missed just a couple weeks earlier. I had it biopsied, and thankfully it turned out to be a benign fibroadenoma, but what blew my mind is that the mammo just a couple weeks prior did not detect the lump!

During my ultrasound guided biopsy, the radiologist and I discussed how medical professionals often don't tell you what you should do in regard to surgery, but rather they give you the facts and the patient makes an informed decision. I was telling her that, as much as I appreciate that, I do wish they would share their professional opinions and then I can consider those when making my informed decision. When my radiologist called with my biopsy results, after sharing that the lump on the opposite side was benign, she said, “I need to tell you something. If you were my sister, I would tell you to get a double masectomy. You have dense breast tissue, so if you don't, you will neeed a mammo/Breast MRI every 6 months for the rest of your life, and there is a chance you would have a recurrence and would need to go through chemo treatments again."

I believe surgery is a highly personal decision, so I am not trying to sway you either way. I'm still not 100% sure what I am going to do, although I am leaning towards a double masectomy with reconstruction after I complete radiation. I wish you all the best as you continue through treatments and are on the path to beating breast cancer!

I bought 23andme for my daughter for DNA. Her results took about 5 weeks to come back. I went to genetic counselor who drew blood at the appointment. I had only gone for a consult. The results were back in less than 4 weeks. Not sure how many markers are tested by 23zndme. My insurance covered genetic counseling because my daughter had tested positive. They covered my daughter's test because of family history. Hope this helps.

My surgeon walked me through the option of lumpectomy Mx or Dmx. I will have MRI on Wednesday. The advice I received is that odds of recurrence are 3%per 10 years. I'm 61. I didn't know about breast press (mammo) every 6 months. These decisions are hard. I have BRIP1 gene (ovarian cancer risk) and have been advised I should have total hysterectomy. I am 100 lbs overweight which increases risk for uteran cancer. I'm going to have to give this more thought.

Keeks, you should have plenty of time for your genetic results to come back before surgery if you're just starting chemo now. I met with the genetic counselor once and they took my bloodwork the same day after going over family history. It was pretty simple. I'm not sure if they operate differently at other places. I'm also glad I did chemo first because it gave me more time to read about mastectomy vs lumpectomy and really think about it before making a decision.

Hello!

My aunt wanted to test her BRCA and I remember she ordered the Futura Genetics kit. We all knew 23andme tests but for some reason she wanted to test with Futura Genetics, and she was very satisfied with the result. You get a lot of information about other risks of diseases and the result are quite fast to come. So maybe that information will help you.

Good luck!