Complex Breast Cyst/Family history of breast cancer

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catedesco
catedesco Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
Complex Breast Cyst/Family history of breast cancer
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  • catedesco
    catedesco Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2008

    Hi I went for my yearly mamogram last Monday and then had to get more xrays and ultrasound of both breasts.  I have a family history of breast cancer my mother's 2 sisters and my father's 2 sisters.  (1 just finding out right before Christmas).  I have density on my right breast and a complex cyst on my left breast under my nipple. 

    Yesterday I had a steriotactic breast biopsey in both breasts.  How accurate is that type of breast biopsey?  I am 43 and have had a couple biopsies on both breasts.  One was a needle biopsey in my right breast 7 yrs ago which came back abnormal duct cells which then I had a tissue biopsey that came back normal.

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  • CalGal
    CalGal Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2008

    Hi Catedesco -

    I've had both types of breast biopsies ... one confirmed invasive bc in one breast and DCIS was confirmed in the other breast.  I also had a family history of bc, my mom and maternal grandma, at ages 46 and 47.   I got bc even earlier ....

    For accuracy, I would push for a breast MRI - they are more accurate, esp for denser breast tissue ... and more expensive (so I never got one at my HMO - but I had a lot of problems with them).

    Have you considered the BRCA test?  Just to be fully informed, I'd consider meeting with a genetic counselor ...  The genetic counselor at my HMO was lame ... and I did not do the genetic BRCA test until after my recurr & mets dx and as expected, I was a BRCA1 (80% of BRCA1's are trip neg).  

    My preference is to be fully informed ... if only I knew then (prior to my dx) what I know now ... 

    What are the ages that your relatives had bc?   Turns out that stronger indicators of the BRCA mutations include pre-menopausal bc, bc in both breasts ... as well as oc and some other cancers.  

    A great site for more info on genetic risk and information is FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered at www.facingourrisk.org

      

    Of course, I hope your results are benign! 

    CalGal 

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  • catedesco
    catedesco Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2008

    Thanks for responding back.  I never considered it.  I work a full time job and a part time job and I never have time for much.  Just recently divorced back in May. 

    My mother died from ovarian cancer when she was 53.  My 2 aunts on my mohters side were 58 and her other sister found out last May I think she was 73.  My 1 aunt on my dads side was 55 and my other aunt was 84.  I have been menopausal since I was 37 and now defintly am was a year in november since I had my last period.  Which the doc thinks it was from a bad car accident I was in 5 yrs ago and it was from the trauma.  I am now 43, exercise daily and am a healthy eater.  But I guess that does not matter if it is in your genes right?

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  • CalGal
    CalGal Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2008

    With working 2 jobs and recently having gone through a divorce, sounds like you're going through a lot and don't have much time for yourself.

    Basically, if you are positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2, it means that on chromosome 17 and 13, respectively, there is a mutation ...

    Of all bc, only 5-10% is due to the BRCA mutation ...

    I worked-out my entire life, watched what I ate since 8th grade (although I would indulge my sweet tooth) ... and it didn't help.  Both my mom and grandma had kids in their early 20s and that didn't help either.

    While pre-menopausal bc is a higher risk factor; when you have the BRCA1 or 2 mutation, you have a much higher incidence of getting bc and oc, at every age ...

    If you're interested, I hope you check out the FORCE website. 

    CalGal 

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  • catedesco
    catedesco Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2008

    THanks for the info calgal, my biopsey came back benign breast densities, I go for a repeat mamo in April and back to the surgeon in May for a follow up. 

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