Hereditary bc?

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Lara56805
Lara56805 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Hi!

I just found this site after searching for online info with no luck. I lost my mom to bc on Feb. 28. She lost her struggle after 4 years. When taking care of her estate I found a note from her doctor that said her diagnosis from the BRACA test was triple negative. I understand that it is a type of breast cancer, but what I don't understand is if it is hereditary and whether you can tell from this diagnosis or whether I have to be tested myself. I have contacted the hospital about genetic counceling but haven't made arrangements yet. I was hoping that someone might have had experience with a family member or know about triple negative and hereditary bc and could help to fill me in. Thanks!

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited September 2007

    Hi Lara,

    I don't want you to think you are being ignored.  There is a section below specifically for Triple Negatives and if you post there, you will most likely get a response.  We are all still a little confused because the platform for these boards was changed at the beginning of the month.  Good luck. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Lara---I'm so sorry about the loss of you mother.  As I understand it, triple negative bc  means it is estrogen negative, progesterone negative, and HER-2 negative.  Whether she was negative or positive for  the BRCA gene is something completely separate from the kind of bc she had.  I would think if you contacted her doctor, he would have the BRCA results in her old records.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited October 2007

    awb, is absolutely correct, Triple Negative and the Brca gene are two, completely separate things.

    And yes, with your mom in this fight, you will need to do your homework.  Get the brca gene test, keep current with your mammo's and if you can, get a breast MRI every one or two years.

    Whether or not this disease is inherited is a gray area.  Most researchers feel it is, in some cases.  But since you have no way of knowing whose side of the families genes you have, it is difficult for you to "guess". 

    So stay very vigilant, keep up with all the new testing techniques, but don't let this ruin your life.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann

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