mother of 2 with BRCA2

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krit7
krit7 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

So I'm a 29 year old mother of 2 and recently been diagonosed with BRCA2 but both Mamagram and Pelvic ultrasound were clean.  Both my Grandmother and mother died of breast cancer, mom 49, grandmother 45.  My husband and i have met with many Dr's, and are continuing to meet to discuss and understand options.  Is there an urgency to  do preventive surgeris?  We are leaning towards a double masectomy with reconstructive surgery but are unsure of the hyterectomy.  Was it worth it?  Were there any Consequences?  How did you feel about yourself after the surgery's?

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

    krit7...You ask some critical questions. Until some of the women with such experience come on here and respond, check out this other site http://www.facingourrisk.org/  One of our posters here, veggiesue, is very active there and the women on that board are all high risk too. There's another site, http://www.youngsurvival.org/ where the women are survivors, but you may find info there too. And then there's our "young Women..." board here as well.

    I hope that you receive much guidance and peace from your decision-making. I believe that being proactive with our own health is of utmost importance.

    ~Marin

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited December 2007

    krit7, I'm sorry to hear that you've tested positive for BRCA2.  After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had the test but was fortunate to test negative.  I can't advise you on the urgency of surgery or the consequences of having a hysterectomy, but I can share with you the thoughts I had as I was awaiting my results. 

    By the time I got my results, I'd already had a single mastectomy to address my breast cancer.  Despite this, I was undecided on whether I would have a prophylactic mastectomy of my remaining breast if I were to test positive.  What I was certain about was that I would have my ovaries removed.  While someone who is BRCA positive has a higher risk of BC than ovarian cancer, my concern was that ovarian cancer is more difficult to detect.  Because of this, ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until it is later stage, and therefore, more difficult to treat successfully.  I was more confident that with careful and frequent screening, if I were to get BC again, it would hopefully be detected when it was still early stage and therefore, very treatable. 

    That was my thought process, which I fortunately didn't have to put into action.  As Marin suggested, the FORCE website is a great resource which will provide you with much more specific information about your risks and treatment options.

    Good luck!

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  • angelaw
    angelaw Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2007

    Hi: I'm brca2 (dbl mas last july).  My daughter is 31 and taking the test for brca.  If positive she will finish her childbearing and nursing and then evaluate her options.  Please talk to a genetic counselor (covered by insurance) as he/she will tell you about risk and waiting times.  Good Luck.

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  • larousse
    larousse Member Posts: 317
    edited January 2008

    At this link there is a video of a "previvor". It may help to see a humane that you can relate too, a beautiful 33 years old.



    http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cancer/overview.html



    Larousse

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  • Youwearpink
    Youwearpink Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2008

    Hello,

    It appears we have a lot in common. I am 32 years old. I was 26 when I was diagnosed with BC. I am BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 positve, YES, I know.... WOW.  I have two little girls, 5 & 9.  I spoke to my surgeons and oncologists about preventative surgeries. I heard the same response from  them all. It basically sounded like this ........ Have the ovaries and the rest of the female organs removed as soon as I could fit it into my schedule, sooner vs.. later.  The only reason they said I should prolong the surgery is if I was contemplating having more children. So, being a teacher, I scheduled the surgery during my next break.  I had my right breast removed when I was diagnosed with BC in 2002. I am now in the process of scheduling a prophylactic Mastectomy on the left.  I was told I had time for the left breast because we have closely monitored the breast with MRI/Mammo. But, I think it is time.  I would rather deal with the surgery with a clear mind, not having to worry about chemo and stuff.   So, I guess it all a matter of timing and what fits into your schedule. Since you are doing it preventitively, you can do what works best for you.  I always try to find the bright side of things. Since you know about the BRCA 2 mutation, you will be screened very closely and have the best preventative screenings. People that are not aware of their risks or those that do not have these mutations can go a long time without knowing there is problem. We will be on top of our health and catch anything at it's earliest stages.

    I hope this was helpful for you. If you have anymore questions you can PM me anytime. Good luck with your decision. I am sure it will all work out.

    Stacy

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  • Youwearpink
    Youwearpink Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2008

    Hello,

    It appears we have a lot in common. I am 32 years old. I was 26 when I was diagnosed with BC. I am BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 positve, YES, I know.... WOW.  I have two little girls, 5 & 9.  I spoke to my surgeons and oncologists about preventative surgeries. I heard the same response from  them all. It basically sounded like this ........ Have the ovaries and the rest of the female organs removed as soon as I could fit it into my schedule, sooner vs.. later.  The only reason they said I should prolong the surgery is if I was contemplating having more children. So, being a teacher, I scheduled the surgery during my next break.  I had my right breast removed when I was diagnosed with BC in 2002. I am now in the process of scheduling a prophylactic Mastectomy on the left.  I was told I had time for the left breast because we have closely monitored the breast with MRI/Mammo. But, I think it is time.  I would rather deal with the surgery with a clear mind, not having to worry about chemo and stuff.   So, I guess it all a matter of timing and what fits into your schedule. Since you are doing it preventitively, you can do what works best for you.  I always try to find the bright side of things. Since you know about the BRCA 2 mutation, you will be screened very closely and have the best preventative screenings. People that are not aware of their risks or those that do not have these mutations can go a long time without knowing there is problem. We will be on top of our health and catch anything at it's earliest stages.

    I hope this was helpful for you. If you have anymore questions you can PM me anytime. Good luck with your decision. I am sure it will all work out.

    Stacy

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  • Anoahna
    Anoahna Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2008

    hello!

    I may not be very helpful but I'm (almost) in the same situation. I just turned 30, and have two wonderful children (2 1/2 and 10 months). I got a suspect mass in one of my breast a month later (nothing wrong, just milk as I'm still breastfeeding my baby), and a  negative pap smear(with a colposcopy which didn't show anything) 2 months later. Happy birthday for me ! If I wanted to wait a little before really worry about it, let's forget!

    My mother died of breast cancer at 44, my grand mother from an ovarian cancer at the same age.

    I'm waiting until I stop nursing to go further: genetic test (I'm not even sure it will change something.. in my mind it's like I'm positive because of my mom). We're already thinking about preventive surgeries with my husband who did a lot of research (he's a scientist!). I still want another baby but not him anymore. He's afrais that we have to do this quickly. We have to think and discuss it more. But I'm aslo so scared. I don't want to make my kids live what I've gone through....

    So, let survive it for once!

    Thanks

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  • Anoahna
    Anoahna Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2008

    hello!

    I may not be very helpful but I'm (almost) in the same situation. I just turned 30, and have two wonderful children (2 1/2 and 10 months). I got a suspect mass in one of my breast a month later (nothing wrong, just milk as I'm still breastfeeding my baby), and a  negative pap smear(with a colposcopy which didn't show anything) 2 months later. Happy birthday for me ! If I wanted to wait a little before really worry about it, let's forget!

    My mother died of breast cancer at 44, my grand mother from an ovarian cancer at the same age.

    I'm waiting until I stop nursing to go further: genetic test (I'm not even sure it will change something.. in my mind it's like I'm positive because of my mom). We're already thinking about preventive surgeries with my husband who did a lot of research (he's a scientist!). I still want another baby but not him anymore. He's afrais that we have to do this quickly. We have to think and discuss it more. But I'm aslo so scared. I don't want to make my kids live what I've gone through....

    So, let survive it for once!

    Thanks

    for
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