Mom not worried

pdtmt7498 · July 2008

My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was very small. In fact, the surgeon said something else would have killed her before that did. Anyway, she starts radiation tomorrow. 7 weeks, 5 days/week. No chemo. I have one sister who had bc and one other sister who had ovarian cancer, both about 5 years ago. Prior to that, there was no family history. Now that mom got it, it was finally suggested she get genetic testing. Her insurance will not cover it because my sisters did not have it done. What a racket. No family history, you don't qualify. No one else qualified, you don't either. I have four sisters total, and I am the youngest. Mom has no idea what type of breast cancer it was. She is more worried out her bone density and the need for a hip replacement which now has to be postponed. Suggestions? How do I present the situation to my own doctor in hopes of getting more preventative help for myself? I already do "all the right things" after an ovca scare myself a year ago. I have a daughter to worry about, as well. Mom says she will get the papers from her doctor, but she is not good about following through. She almost decided to skip the radiation altogether, but the oncologist convinced her otherwise (thank goodness).

leaf · July 2008

These are the guidelines for the USPTF

Certain specific family history patterns are associated

with an increased risk for deleterious mutations in the

BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Both maternal and paternal family

histories are important. For non–Ashkenazi Jewish women,

these patterns include 2 first-degree relatives with breast

cancer, 1 of whom received the diagnosis at age 50 years or

younger; a combination of 3 or more first- or second-

degree relatives with breast cancer regardless of age at di-

agnosis; a combination of both breast and ovarian cancer

among first- and second- degree relatives; a first-degree rel-

ative with bilateral breast cancer; a combination of 2 or

more first- or second-degree relatives with ovarian cancer

regardless of age at diagnosis; a first- or second-degree rel-

ative with both breast and ovarian cancer at any age; and a

history of breast cancer in a male relative.

For women of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, an in-

creased-risk family history includes any first-degree relative

(or 2 second-degree relatives on the same side of the fam-

ily) with breast or ovarian cancer. incidence of breast and ovarian cancer; there is inadequate

evidence for mortality benefits.

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/brcagen/brcagenrs.pdf

You can print out this article and give it to your doctor. If insurance won't cover it for your mom, I would think with your present family history, your insurance would cover it for you.

This website is for people with genetic BRCA mutations. Maybe they will have some further ideas.

http://www.facingourrisk.org/

Mom not worried

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