Breast Cancer Genetic Testing?

Question

If given the oppurtunity to get genetic testing for the breast cancer gene would you do it? If you already knew your sister had the gene would this sway your decision? Let me know.

I guess I should have entered this, My grandmother died at 33 of breast cancer and my mother recently passed of the same at age 49.

Answer 1

even if you were to test -you would need a relative that had early onset BC and the gene - testing w/o knowing the exact mutation really does not do a whole lot of good.

If you sister had early on set BC caused by BRAC Iand/or II and you were a blood relative - personally i would have the test.
Having the mutation does not mean that you will have early onset BC but it can help with knowing if you need to be getting memograms/MRI's at an early age than normally recomended. Your risk for year onset BC decreses as you age but your risk for regular BC increses with age (regular BC is not considered to be genetic at this point).
You can always talk to a genetic counsler (which you should) about the +ives and -ives of testing - you could always have the test and wait until you are ready to open up the test results too
good luck -

Answer 2

I am going to do it. I should have the authorization in about 2 weeks. I am a 3 year survivor and one of my 6 sisters and anaunt have also had breast cancer. My older sister just called, scared because she had a questionable mammogram and the doctor wants her to come back in 6 months for another. He thinks it is a calcium deposit. She is getting a second opinion tomorrow.

I also have 40+ nieces and nephews so being able to give them some accurate information will help them make the approrpriate decisions

Answer 3

This is almost pointless. If the other members of your family had the gene, then maybe. But the gene actually only shows up in a minority of cases.