BRCA1 gene Senior Citizen

Babboo, I'd just love to come over there and give you a huge hug! Hearing of a BRCA-1 breast cancer survivor of 38 years is such an inspiration for me (and others, I am sure!)

That said, I can imagine how tough it must be to see yor daughter dealing with this. This is my greatest fear - my daughter is 23 and is not yet to the point of being ready to be tested. It strikes early in our line; my elder sister was diagnosed at 29, and like all women before me in my paternal line for 300 years was dead by 35 (however my younger sister tested negative and just celebrated 40!), so I am eager for my young'un to find out how that 50-50 crapshoot went - so as to do some prevention. Or do some celebratin'!

Anyway - getting back to your question. If I were you, I also would be hesitant to rush to remove healthy organs at this point. To help in your decision (or to reinforce a decision already made), check your specific mutation listed in your packet from Myriad. It will list your number/location of your family's 'glitch'. Mine happens to be at 5677insA, not a very common one. It does however, tend to manifest almost entirely as breast cancer in women - not as ovarian. So I am dragging my feet with my oophorectomy, too. Chemo put me into menopause and thanks, that was enough for me.

You too, can check the source and 'tendencies' of your mutation at:

http://mutview.dmb.med.keio.ac.jp/MutationView/jsp/mutview/html/brca1.html

You may have to scroll through hundreds to find yours.

Although this has been my decision so far, I feel I must caution any others in following the same path. BRCA-1 is a mutation of a tumor-suppressor gene. We've got a signal to turn off tumor growth of any kind that has a faulty switch. One has to consider this.

All the best to you - and your daughter, Babboo

Lisa

Baboo I suggest you post this question at FORCE

www.facingourrisk.org

Many of us there are BRCA + and can help answer.

Did you do your testing with a certified genetics counslor?

If you should choose screening over preventative mastectomy and remocal of your ovaries, it is more rigorous than just a yearly mammogram. They usually like to alternate every 6 months with breast MRI when you are BRCA +.

Also though I am not a doctor or in any way associated with the medical profession, I do know that the ovaries can develop a cancer even when they are no longer functioning. I am BRCA 2+ and 43 years old and all of my doctors keep askinfg me WHEN (not IF) I am having my ovaries out. I just want to go through menopause naturally, though I do know that ther eis no really good screening tool for ovarian cancer which is why most doctors want them out in we high risk women.



Good luck with these decisions, they are not easy ones.

Babboo, I was about to reply to you and see that you've had the surgery.  Good for you.  I was going to recommend it.  I was screened for 7 years for ovarian.  Stopped getting periods at 47 and got ovarian at 49.  Despite being screened every six months I was stage III so I'm glad that you've had the surgery.