Am I at a high risk for breast cancer if both of my dad's sisters have/had it?

Question

A year ago, one of my dad's sisters lost her battle with breast cancer.

My dad's other sister just found out she has breast cancer.

There are only two sisters.

When my Aunt Glenda (who died) was sick, they tested my other aunt and my cousin, to see if she had the kind that was genetic. They said she didn't.

I'm now having problems with that result, since it seems like some insane odds that BOTH of my aunts would have a non-genetic form of breast cancer.

As the daughter of their BROTHER, would I be at a higher risk than I otherwise would be as a member of the female population? Should I, and my sisters, and my cousin, do anything now, other than perform regular self-checks? My sisters and I are in our twenties. Our other cousin, the only daughter of the other brother, is only five.

Thanks.

Well, thank you to those of you who have actually answered the question.

To whoever said "Yahoo! Answers doesn't take the place of doctors", rest assured, I am only on here because I just found out over lunch today, and am asking around on here, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other places, including my doctor when I see her next.

To the guy who said we're kind of in the same boat: no we're not. First, you aren't talking about relatives with breast cancer. Second, you're a DUDE. Thanks for the pep talk, but we're not in the same situation.

David M - TOTALLY NOT HELPFUL. "Vitamin C" is not an answer to "Do you think I have a higher risk because both aunts had it?". That answer is a little like when I asked my toddler what his favorite color was, and he said "Paper."

Cute for the two-year-old. Annoying when grown people get on here and "answer" questions by rambling about something that has NOTHING to do about what is being asked.

Answer 1

yes you are at risk and need to do the self exam every month. cancer seems to run in familys. i had ovarain 9 years ago at the age of 19, i just lost my 25 year old cousin to cervical and i have an aunt on the same side of the family that had ovairain when she was in her 30's, so please please keep getting checked out cuz if the can catch it in time you can save your life. and i will be praying for your aunts. god bless.

Answer 2

Well, if they tested your aunt and found it wasn't genetic, then chances are it isn't. According to this website (http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html), 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. It's possible that your family was just one of those rare cases where both women were those 1 in 8 individuals. Since it isn't genetic, and since you are also the daughter of the brother, then I wouldn't be too worried about it. Regular check ups is what you should stick with for now, as well as maintaining your health (ie: don't start smoking or taking certain kinds of birth control pills).

I also believe that if you stress out about it too much, you will only make matters worse. I once heard that ketchup and strawberries increase your chances of getting cancer. Yea, maybe they do, but I wouldn't live by that. Results change, and I think the best thing to do is just enjoy what life you have now. Hope that helped!

Answer 3

This may sound funny to you but if I were in your shoes, and in a way I am, I would consider myself lucky.

You have been slapped in the face with a very rude wake-up call. It is telling you to take care of yourself. To stay on top of this situation at all cost. Do the self-checks at least as often as recommended. Get the mammograms at least as often as recommended. And be thankful for everyday you don't have a problem because each day improves treatment and is one day closer to a cure/prevention therapy that will work 100% of the time.

As far as whether or not you are more prone to the disease, I can't say. I am not a Dr. or a genetics researcher. I am just a guy with health problems of my own. Trust me, I have been there with other issues and I watch my body very closely. Like you, I am still OK but if I do go bad, I will know about it early. When it comes to cancer, that is the most important thing, EARLY DETECTION.

Best wishes from this end and as Spock would say, "live long and prosper".

Answer 4

You could go and get tested for the genetic marker if you're worried about it (even though they say it wasn't genetic - it's just too weird that both sister's would have the same cancer). I would say you would be at a greater risk if your father came down with prostate cancer (apparently there is a relationship there).

We have the same issues in our family. Most of my husband's aunts and uncles on his mother's side have died from various forms of cancer but as of yet his mother has not been. Should she be diagnosed at some point, I would suggest my husband be tested.

Answer 5

My suggestion is serious vitimin C. The RDA says 64 miligrams a day. Linus Pauling who got 2 nobel prizes for his work on vitimin C and organic chemestry said a minimum of 1000 mg a day and 2000 mg if you are sick. I had something, to this day the doctors have no idea what it was, but I was flat on my back for 2 weeks in usually Nov and again in Feb. I went on vit C when I got sick and after a couple of years I have never been sick again. During those times I was sick I took a varying amount daily and it followed a bell curve over the 2 weeks. I was up to 40,000 mg a day at one point, 300,000 mg over 2 weeks. It was a narrow range I had to maintain. If I took too much I got diarrea and if I took too little I was sick. In that range I was totally asymptomatic. You need to drink a lot of water because Vit C is a natural diarretic. Also, you doctor will say your kidneys will disolve or calcify, but drink the water and it SHOULD be fine. A couple of years ago the had a report out that said the best cancer-fighter was Interferon - at $15,000 a gram - but it also said that Interferon is a product of the natural breakdown of Vit C in your system. Shortly after that they tried to make Vit C by perscription only. Guess why. Good luck.

Answer 6

You may want to be tested for the breast cancer gene anyways. I would suggest you each talk thoroughly with your gynecologist about the aunts having breast cancer and scheduling mammograms as soon as possible. The test itself is only a few minutes out of your day and the peace of mind will keep you all from unnecessary worry, which can take up many hours of a day.

And breast cancer is treatable if caught early.

Answer 7

Just because your aunts have/had BC doesn't raise your risk any more then if no one in your family had it.
They don't know what causes BC so to say ones risk is higher or lower because of family history then someone else with out family history of BC is not a good indicator.
Just do the normal screening required and eat good.

Alcohol and red meat should be at a minimal. Alcohol for its properties and red meat because of growth hormones they use. It does effect the slow growing BC type call estrogen receptor +type.

Answer 8

Med Student -

It sounds like breast cancer runs in your family. It sounds like your aunts and a genetic test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene. Just because it was negative doesn't mean that there isn't a genetic link...cancer is not fully understood and there are probably many other genes(other than BRCA1 and BRCA2) that carry increased risks for breast cancer. If I were you I would do regular self breast exams and establish contact with a PCP that understands your situation and family history. Oh, and don't smoke.

Answer 9

Because your aunts are in your immediate family you do have to keep an eye out a little closer than most people. But I I would think you are high risk unless breast cancer is in both sides of your family.

Answer 10

your doctor will take this into consideration at your exam, normally Mothers and sisters, would put you at a higher risk.
Be sure to list anyone having breast cancer when you fill out your physical information. Good Luck to you