hereditary risk

[lawa]

Quick question...Dad's got no sisters, he is 67, no history of cancer.  His mother died at 96, no history of cancer.  His Dad died at 56 due to heart disease.  His Dad's sister died in her late forties from cancer, don't know what kind.  My dad has one first cousin on his Dad's side that died around age 50 from ovarian cancer.  My dad's brother died at age 65 from leukemia and had a melanoma.  Would we benefit from genetic counseling or are these affected relatives to far removed from me?

[momofsandj]

I agree with Marie completely --- in order for your insurance company to pay for the genetic BRCA screenings they want to see at least two first or second degree (mother father sister brother grandparent etc) relative with cancer --- consider yourself lucky you are not in that situation.  I lost my mom to breast cancer, my sister to ovarian, my mother's brother had prostate cancer, and my insurance company didn't question it -- and I do have one BRCA1 mutation and had already had ovarian cancer twice.  Be that as it may, two of my friends' mothers, both in their mid seventies, were just diagnosed with ovarian cancer --- one stage 4 and one found on an ultrasound that she insisted on having because two of her friends had recently died of ovarian cancer.  I was getting ultrasounds (transvaginal level 2) every year, which wasn't enough with my family history --- but if you have a pelvic exam every year, and an ultrasound every year (spread it out a few months from the pelvic exam) you are doing a pretty good job of screening --- and don't forget about getting your mammograms.
Good luck and just stay on top of your health because no one else is going to know your body better than you
Jeanne

[vegas2cr]

I have gone back as many generations as I could and not one person in my family either side had cancer.. okay so how did I get to stage IV ovarian cancer??? It is what is known as an idiopathic cancer.. meaning usually there is no KNOWN cause...
Do keep an eye on your on health.. only you know when something is not correct...

[JC145]

I totally agree with Marie.  My dad had prostate cancer and that would be a closer connection to OVCA, altho I do not plan to get tested at this time to see if I carry a gene.  Hope and pray you never need to worry about any of this.  Judy

[marie3B]

I am no genetics expert, but from what I see you don't have a history that looks scary for ovarian cancer.  Most ovarian cancer is not genetic and happens for unknown reasons.  Because of this I recommend thorough annual exams and be aware of the symptoms of ovca.  Also pay attention closely to your own body.  If something does not seem right, do not ignore it.  Good luck to you.  Marie