I am a survivor of breast cancer and my doctor has recommend genetic testing - thoughts?

Question

My grandmother on my mother's side and her sister both had breast cancer.

Answer 1

Don't do it.

I have always believed that the mainstream medical industry is not interested in finding a cure for cancer because it makes too much profit with its present barbarous methods.
Eventually, I came across a detailed report which agreed with my findings, and I have included it in my web page at

http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/cancer.html

Answer 2

I am a B.C. survivor, too, and already have a daughter. My doc recommended against genetic testing because B.C. doesn't run in my family. She said it's unlikely that I have BRCA gene(s). But, if it runs in your family, and if you have or are planning to have children, you should think about it. You could pass the gene along to a child. If that happens, you may want to know what their chances are also to be diagnosed one day. And my opinion is that forewarned is forearmed. Doesn't make the decision about what to do any easier, I suppose. I mean, if I knew when I was 18 that I MIGHT get breast cancer, would I have chosen to have a preventative double mastectomy? I can't imagine having to make that choice.

Of course, there are questions like, will insurance pay for the testing? If so, do they require the results? Will they use the results to deny you or your family health care coverage? You should know answers to all that before you go into it.

Answer 3

Hi,

Hereditary breast cancers account for 5 - 10% of total breast cancers and can be due to defects in BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 onco genes (most commonly).

Genetic testing helps to find individuals who have these genetic mutations, as in that case
1) Search for other cancers such as ovarian cancer should be done (as one is at increased risk for such cancer)

2) Preventive strategies including screening and treatment in relatives could be started early (before the disease is incurable).

So, BE POSITIVE, that we know something on breast cancer, and go for it if possible.

Answer 4

I, too, had BC (diagnosed 2002) and it was recommended that I be tested. I am not having more children, however, and my mother and sister both know the risks and are regularly checked. All of us have made changes to our lifestyles - mostly with diet. I could not afford to have the testing done (it was $3000+) even though there are programs out there that can help reduce some of the costs. If I were to be tested, my family members could be tested at a reduced cost to see if they are at risk.
There may be some ramifications with being able to get insurance coverage at some point, should you test positive. It's something to think about.
I decided to treat it as though it might be hereditary and have educated my son about diet, exercise, and healthy living. He knows to tell his wife one day and they can then decide what to do with that info.

Answer 5

Your doctor is correct to inform you that daughters, grand daughters and nieces of women with breast cancer have much higher chances to develop breast cancer than those whose relatives do not have it. The incidence is high enough that some physicians advocate bilateral mastectomies for daughters and sisters of women with the cancer even though all of their screening exams have been negative for breast cancer.