Genetic testing needed?

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bearinthefield
bearinthefield Member Posts: 2
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

My older sister has breast cancer but is not Braca 1-2 positive. We are age 72-74 and of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. If she is not positive, can I be still be positive for Braca 1 or 2? Thanks.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2020

    If your sister’s diagnosis is recent it would be pretty unusual for you to develop a genetic syndrome cancer in your seventies. Normally (but not always) it would be much earlier. Each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene mutation, so yes, you could still be positive even if she is negative.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2020

    Dear bearinthefield,

    Welcome to you and thanks for reaching out with your concerns. Here is a link to information on our site about BRCA 1 and 2 and other gene mutations. Let us know how we can be of help.

    The Mods

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2020

    To add to MelissaDallas's post, only 10% - 15% of breast cancers are genetic. On the other hand, woman face their highest risk to develop a non-genetic breast cancer when they are in their 60s and 70s.

    Are there other breast cancer or related cancers (primarily ovarian and prostate, but there are others) in your family? If not, a breast cancer diagnosis in one's 70s would normally not raise concerns about a genetic cancer.

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