BRCA1

Hi stella!

BRCA1 (as well as BRCA2) are gene mutations that predispose a small portion of the population for certain familial cancers (including breast cancer). Whether you have those mutations can only be identified in a genetic testing procedure. If your doctor thinks your circumstances (disease, family history, etc.) suggest you might be a candidate for testing, you'll be referred to a genetic counselor. Such a counselor will help you review your family history and what it might mean, get an understanding of what the test results could (and couldn't) offer you and to review any downsides to testing so that you can decide whether or not to be tested. If you decide to be tested, the test itself is a blood test, so a blood sample would be sent off to the testing lab.

ER status (positive or negative) is based on a test run on cancer cells from a biopsy or or other surgical procedure. If you've been diagnosed with bc, you'll find that information on your pathology report, along with lots of other information about your particular tumor.

If you tell us a little bit more about you, we may be able to help more, but HTH,

LisaAlissa

ETC: grammar, etc.

I'm not familiar with that literature, but from what you say, you would be in the "other 20%." Definitely possible.

I am BRCA 1, er/pr+ so yes it is possible. I was wondering if anyone else was too. It seems most are triple negative.

I am er+ and have a brac1 "mutation of uncertain variance" I also have a aunt and cousin that are the same. All of us with breast cancer. I was the first diagnosed at age 38 with no family history.

Intersting information. Im BRCA 2 and Im er/pr negative and her2+. Wonder what the stats are for that. Seems like my odds never equal the norm.

Nicki

"about 80% of triple negatives are BRCA1"

 I think what you may have meant to say is that 80% of women who are BRCA1 have a cancer that is triple negative (ER-, PR-, and HER-2-).  It is true that BRCA1+ women are more likely to have breast cancer that are triple negative, 80% is likely an overestimate.  As for the percentage of women with triple negative breast cancer who are BRCA+, there are studies that show different figures, some approaching 10% in younger women (but not near 80%).  

In response to the original question, it is certainly possible to have a ER (estrogen receptor) positive breast cancer if you are BRCA1+.  It is simply slightly more common for these women to have ER- breast cancer. 

  

"Facing our Rsk" has a conference this month....wish I could go but I am Day 5 past my Bi Mx with immediate Diep and 3 months post my TAH !  So grateful to have this behind me now.

Looking forward to reading more information posted my attendees or others of thier practical understaning..  I am reading a lot about BRCA in general and ER status which affcts its care obviously..

Here is a good site for basic infor: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/8623.cfm#45826

I have known about the BRCA 1 gene in my family since 2004 and have kept quiet about it.  I wanted more children and was turning 40.  Do you think when I told the medical team that I had it in my family, they would have counseled me before giving so many stimulation to produce eggs?

8 years later, I have a positive ER cancer......more later...