Aa
i am freaking out
today I went to the doctor because three weeks ago I find a lump in my right breast. she was rubbing n checking the lump out n she keep saying that all in that area it is very lumpy. should I be scared. breast cancer n ovain cancers runs in my family every woman on my grandmothers side has had one or the other. and some has had both.
Hi,
Unless you have a strong family hx of BC, esp. at earlier than usual ages, in first degree relatives (mother, sister, etc.) there isn't really a recommendation in the guidelines drafted by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force for you to take the test for BRCA gene mutations. It reads as follows:
"Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be screened to see whether that history poses increased risk for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, according to a draft recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Those found to be at heightened risk should receive genetic counseling and be considered for BRCA testing.
The recommendations reaffirm the group's 2005 guidelines. But since then, family-history risk stratification tools have been tested for use in primary care to help refer patients for genetic counseling. There are also more data on using medication for breast cancer prevention, on surgeries for risk reduction, and on the possible psychological effects of genetic counseling.
In addition, the USPSTF again recommends against routine BRCA screening or genetic counseling for women whose family history does not confer increased risk."
If you are still uncertain about this, you could consult a genenetic couselor to be SCREENED regarding whether the test would be advised in your case, but that still wouldn't mean you would have to be tested, or that you would have to follow any particular course of action if you were found to be positive, other than increased surveillance, which you are no doubt getting anyway, due to
that early stage breast cnacer you had in 2001.
Hope this helps,
bluebutterfly
Unless you have a strong family hx of BC, esp. at earlier than usual ages, in first degree relatives (mother, sister, etc.) there isn't really a recommendation in the guidelines drafted by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force for you to take the test for BRCA gene mutations. It reads as follows:
"Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be screened to see whether that history poses increased risk for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, according to a draft recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Those found to be at heightened risk should receive genetic counseling and be considered for BRCA testing.
The recommendations reaffirm the group's 2005 guidelines. But since then, family-history risk stratification tools have been tested for use in primary care to help refer patients for genetic counseling. There are also more data on using medication for breast cancer prevention, on surgeries for risk reduction, and on the possible psychological effects of genetic counseling.
In addition, the USPSTF again recommends against routine BRCA screening or genetic counseling for women whose family history does not confer increased risk."
If you are still uncertain about this, you could consult a genenetic couselor to be SCREENED regarding whether the test would be advised in your case, but that still wouldn't mean you would have to be tested, or that you would have to follow any particular course of action if you were found to be positive, other than increased surveillance, which you are no doubt getting anyway, due to
that early stage breast cnacer you had in 2001.
Hope this helps,
bluebutterfly
I had breast cancer (stage 1) (lumptectomy) in 2001 at age 47. I had chemo, radiation, 5 years of tamoxifen and 5 years of femara. I never found out if I have the BC gene and I have been completely avoiding it. I am probably being foolish; but I dont know if I want to find out! The problem is I dont know what I would do with the information if I found out I had it. Any thoughts?
You are certainly welcome.
Please come back and let us know how things are going with you--we care!
You will be in our thoughts and prayers,
bb
Please come back and let us know how things are going with you--we care!
You will be in our thoughts and prayers,
bb
THANK you bb, for this detailed and important information you have provided.
Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again....♥
Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again....♥
Hi again,
I'm glad to here your doctor is being proactive in checking things out.
Here is some some information about breast cancer rates in general, and the additional risk that may be conferred by family hx and by BRCA gene mutations::
In the United States currently, 1 in 8 women will develop BC during their lifetimes (approx. 12%).
Having a family history of BC in a first-degree relative makes a woman's risk 1.5-2 times higher. Having two first degree relatives with BC makes a woman's risk 4-6 times higher.
The risk of breast cancer in carriers of BRCA1 mutation is estimated to be 36-87%. Lifetime breast cancer risk for carriers of BRCA2 mutation is 45-84%.
Here is a brief description of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing and a link to a more detailed discussion of it:
http://www.facingourrisk.org/info_research/hereditary-cancer/genetic-testing/index.php
BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing
The two genes most commonly associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are called BRCA1 and BRCA2 (for Breast Cancer 1 and Breast Cancer 2 genes). There is a test which can be performed on blood or cheek swabs that can tell if a person carries a mutation in one of these genes.
There are several different types of BRCA tests that can be ordered; each looks for mutations at different sites along the genes. It's important that the correct test is ordered or the results may not be meaningful. A genetics expert will assure that the proper test is ordered.
The first person in a family to have genetic testing will usually have “full-sequencing” of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which means the lab examines the entire DNA of both genes to see if there is a known cancer-causing mutation in one of these genes. The cost of this test is about $4000.
If a mutation has already been identified in a family, then often (but not always) a “single-site” test can be ordered to look for the specific mutation that was already found. The cost of this test is about $400.
Since both your mom and grandmother are BRCA 2 positive, I think it would be a good idea for you to consult with a genetic counselor who would be able to explain all of this to you and help you decide whether you want to be tested to seen if you also carry that mutation. If you chose to get tested, and your results are positive, you would then be put in the position of having to make decsions about what steps you might take, based on that knowledge.
Warm regards,
bb
I'm glad to here your doctor is being proactive in checking things out.
Here is some some information about breast cancer rates in general, and the additional risk that may be conferred by family hx and by BRCA gene mutations::
In the United States currently, 1 in 8 women will develop BC during their lifetimes (approx. 12%).
Having a family history of BC in a first-degree relative makes a woman's risk 1.5-2 times higher. Having two first degree relatives with BC makes a woman's risk 4-6 times higher.
The risk of breast cancer in carriers of BRCA1 mutation is estimated to be 36-87%. Lifetime breast cancer risk for carriers of BRCA2 mutation is 45-84%.
Here is a brief description of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing and a link to a more detailed discussion of it:
http://www.facingourrisk.org/info_research/hereditary-cancer/genetic-testing/index.php
BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing
The two genes most commonly associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are called BRCA1 and BRCA2 (for Breast Cancer 1 and Breast Cancer 2 genes). There is a test which can be performed on blood or cheek swabs that can tell if a person carries a mutation in one of these genes.
There are several different types of BRCA tests that can be ordered; each looks for mutations at different sites along the genes. It's important that the correct test is ordered or the results may not be meaningful. A genetics expert will assure that the proper test is ordered.
The first person in a family to have genetic testing will usually have “full-sequencing” of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which means the lab examines the entire DNA of both genes to see if there is a known cancer-causing mutation in one of these genes. The cost of this test is about $4000.
If a mutation has already been identified in a family, then often (but not always) a “single-site” test can be ordered to look for the specific mutation that was already found. The cost of this test is about $400.
Since both your mom and grandmother are BRCA 2 positive, I think it would be a good idea for you to consult with a genetic counselor who would be able to explain all of this to you and help you decide whether you want to be tested to seen if you also carry that mutation. If you chose to get tested, and your results are positive, you would then be put in the position of having to make decsions about what steps you might take, based on that knowledge.
Warm regards,
bb
she ordered a mammogram and us- breast bilateral. my mom and grandmother was both BRCA2 what does that mean? Having a lot of thoughts and letting myself get very worried
Hi,
Your doctor's comment may have just been an indication that you have fibrocystic breasts.
Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in one or both breasts. The lumpiness is due to small breast masses or breast cysts. The condition is very common and benign, meaning that fibrocystic breasts are not malignant (cancerous). Fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), now referred to as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition, is the most common cause of "lumpy breasts" in women and affects more than 60% of women. The condition primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, and tends to become less of a problem after menopause.
If your doctor felt something suspicious in your breast, it is likely that she would have ordered some kind of imaging tests, esp. in view of your family history.. Was there any discusion about such a plan? If not, you probably have no reason to "freak out" about this lump.
However, you probably should discuss with her whether your family history raises you risk enough that you may need to begin screening imaging earlier than is normally recommended.
Also, if many first degree relatives have had breast and or ovarian cancer, esp. at younger than the usual ages, do you know if any of them have had genetic testing, to see if they are carriers of BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations?
This might be something else to consider. (You have probably seen news about these tests in regard to Angelina Jolie's recent announcement of her prophylactic mastectomies, due to her family BC hx and being positive for such a mutation)
Best wishes,
bluebutterfly
Your doctor's comment may have just been an indication that you have fibrocystic breasts.
Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in one or both breasts. The lumpiness is due to small breast masses or breast cysts. The condition is very common and benign, meaning that fibrocystic breasts are not malignant (cancerous). Fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), now referred to as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition, is the most common cause of "lumpy breasts" in women and affects more than 60% of women. The condition primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, and tends to become less of a problem after menopause.
If your doctor felt something suspicious in your breast, it is likely that she would have ordered some kind of imaging tests, esp. in view of your family history.. Was there any discusion about such a plan? If not, you probably have no reason to "freak out" about this lump.
However, you probably should discuss with her whether your family history raises you risk enough that you may need to begin screening imaging earlier than is normally recommended.
Also, if many first degree relatives have had breast and or ovarian cancer, esp. at younger than the usual ages, do you know if any of them have had genetic testing, to see if they are carriers of BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations?
This might be something else to consider. (You have probably seen news about these tests in regard to Angelina Jolie's recent announcement of her prophylactic mastectomies, due to her family BC hx and being positive for such a mutation)
Best wishes,
bluebutterfly
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