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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and it was DCIS on the left. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. Last February 2011 they found something on my mammo so I had a biopsy done which turned out to be a new cancer on the left side of DCIS again. They tested me and I am positive for BRCA2. My sister died from breast cancer and her granddaughter (age 27) was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer and she had BRCA2 as well. After having a bilateral mastectomy this time around, they also discovered I had breast cancer in the right breast which was ICLS. They are encouraging me to have my ovaries removed soon as the gene increases my chances for getting ovarian cancer. Rely on your doctors and other experts as your emotions can get out of control when you start listening to a lot of other people.
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anonymous
Survivor since 2012
Yes, I have the BRCA2 gene mutation. I first had breast cancer in 2000, at age 44. It was Stage 1B, no node involvement, DCIS with slight ductal invasion. I had a mastectomy and radiation. I was diagnosed in October 2011 with cancer in my remaining breast. It's not a recurrence but a new cancer. Stage 2A, invasive ductal, with no node involvement but more aggressive and a larger tumor this time around. Given these facts, I was tested shortly after my second diagnosis in October 2011.
Do you have more specific questions? I can tell you that your siblings and children, male and female, have a 50:50 chance of having the mutation. My one sibling, a sister in her early 50's, has tested positive. If inherited, there are increased risks for breast and other forms of cancer in both males and females, more so for females. First piece of advice: do not go on the internet and start searching. Rely on your doctors, geneticists, and other experts in the field. I'll be happy to answer any other questions or concerns you may have.
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anonymous
Survivor since 2012
You are so right about relying on your doctors. Once I tested positive for BRCA2, my oncologist immediately looked through my chart. I had my ovaries removed with my first breast cancer and, if I hadn't, they would remove them immediately. They...
You are so right about relying on your doctors. Once I tested positive for BRCA2, my oncologist immediately looked through my chart. I had my ovaries removed with my first breast cancer and, if I hadn't, they would remove them immediately. They also started giving me the statistics. They're very significant when it comes to your blood relatives. The mutation happens to be on my father's side, so all those relatives can be affected. Since my dad likely carried the mutation, my sister and I have a 50:50 chance of having it. As it turns out, we both do. My children have the same 50:50 chance and, if they are positive, the risks of breast and other forms of cancer go way up. For example, depending on what study you read, my daughter (if positive) has a 60-80% chance of getting breast cancer.
By the way, the only other relative on my father's side to have had breast cancer was his aunt. My father had prostate cancer and died of bladder cancer. So it seems that the 50:50 chance went well for some relatives, but not others.
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Your family sounds kind of like mine - my dad died of prostate and colon cancer, one of my sisters died of leukemia, one sister died from breast cancer, one brother died from colon cancer and two more brothers died from pancreatic cancer. My...
Your family sounds kind of like mine - my dad died of prostate and colon cancer, one of my sisters died of leukemia, one sister died from breast cancer, one brother died from colon cancer and two more brothers died from pancreatic cancer. My daughter is a survivor from Hodgkin's lymphoma but I still want her to have the testing done but she hasn't yet. I even want my son to have the testing done but none so far. I haven't had my ovaries removed yet because I am still trying to get back to normal (if there is such a thing) from the mastectomy. I only chose to do the bilateral because of the BRCA2 gene and I am glad that I did because the invasive cancer they found on the right did not show up on the mammogram so if I hadn't had both breasts removed I am not sure what would have happened except I know I would be in a world of trouble. We are assuming the mutation came from my dad's side but have no real proof with so many of them gone. I hope you are doing well and keep taking care of yourself and relying on people you trust and your instincts.
anonymous
Survivor since 2012
Thanks much. You poor dear, losing so many family members to cancer. I'm so glad you did the bilateral -- you're right, if you hadn't done it who knows when that cancer would have been found. My sister (my only sibling) who is positive for the...
Thanks much. You poor dear, losing so many family members to cancer. I'm so glad you did the bilateral -- you're right, if you hadn't done it who knows when that cancer would have been found. My sister (my only sibling) who is positive for the gene mutation but does not yet have cancer, is having a bilateral mastectomy and both ovaries removed this summer. Have you seen a geneticist to have your family history traced? That's how I found out it's on my father's side. They also gave me a lot of useful information.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment.
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I did just go when my niece went to have the BRCA testing done as her mother died from leukemia. We both got to speak with a geneticist then and she was very helpful and informative. She gave me some things to think about and I have been...
I did just go when my niece went to have the BRCA testing done as her mother died from leukemia. We both got to speak with a geneticist then and she was very helpful and informative. She gave me some things to think about and I have been recommended by my oncologist to see another geneticist closer to home. I will be looking into that as well. Take care of yourself and I appreciate hearing from you.