BRCA test

I am going tomorrow to meet with the genetic counselor.  My mom was 58 when diagnosed with stage iv ovarian cancer.  I have had mammograms and CA125 tests since I was 32, and was 46 when I was diagnosed with DCIS.  My sister has her appt on 7/22.  We both want to know as we have daughters in their early 20's.  I also have to see if my insurance company will pay based on an appeal as they normally do not cover genetic testing.  We'll see what happens. 

If I do get the appeal accepted and have the test, if I come back positive I will have my ovaries removed.  However, my daughter will continue to be monitored and I do not think she needs to have the testing done right now.  She will turn 20 in August and that is alot for a young kid to have to deal with.  So, I would caution her to wait a few more years, but continue the screening.  She will start having mammograms by the age of 25, and if I do test positive, or if my sister does, I would want her to have the CA125 testing done regularly.

I'm going to check out the website that is referred in the postings and read up for my appt tomorrow.  Thanks for sharing all this information, ladies!

For those who are on the younger side I was told about www.bebrightpink.com ....there are more 20 something years old on that forum and was started by a 25 year old. great story (see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/health/16gene.html?ex=1350792000&en=3d2b5fbe76d19a73&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink). I am BRCA1 positive and 38 but did not find out until 2 months ago. There is no one in my family with cancer today....only 30-50 years ago, so no one really expected there to be a hereditary link, especially since I am the granddaughter....I got the mutation from my father. I think if I had found out earlier I would have been preoccupied. I have 4 kids now and now can focus on this with my husband, but I imagine it would have more difficult to go about my daily life had I known so young. My grandmother died at 44, so age of a relative with cancer has a lot to do with when you should think about having things done yourself. Personally, unless you have family with cancer under 30, I personally would say you could wait until you are through your 20s before worrying. Please check out the link above....there are so many similar stories!

Cathy