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BRCA testing
Hi Ladies,
DCIS positive here, just took the BRCA blood test (waiting is pure torture).to help me decide the which surgery is best for me.
My mother died from BC at age 42 (dx at 36) her sister is BRCA 2 positive with her first cancer at age 70 (liver)
My mothers brother died of prostate cancer in his 60's, my father had prostate cancer in his 60's as well, oh and I'm Jewish.
With this kind of history, is there any chance I am BRCA negative?
I have a daughter who will be 20 this June, the thought of having to watch her go through what I am going through is consuming me.
Thankful for any help
DCIS positive here, just took the BRCA blood test (waiting is pure torture).to help me decide the which surgery is best for me.
My mother died from BC at age 42 (dx at 36) her sister is BRCA 2 positive with her first cancer at age 70 (liver)
My mothers brother died of prostate cancer in his 60's, my father had prostate cancer in his 60's as well, oh and I'm Jewish.
With this kind of history, is there any chance I am BRCA negative?
I have a daughter who will be 20 this June, the thought of having to watch her go through what I am going through is consuming me.
Thankful for any help
I admit BRCA testing is not my area of expertise, but you got some wonderful advice from
the most informative women on here. I'm really sorry to hear about your mother and others in your family. I can certainly understand your concerns for your daughter, too. I just want to add my best wishes to you. As hard as it is waiting it out, at least your results will give you some definitive information and give your doctors a better direction in your treatment options. Your daughter and other family members will be well informed also and that can be lifesaving. Try to stay positive and not worry too much, but that's so much easier said than done. You can't change the outcome, so try to save your energy for putting up a fight.
Take care and please keep us updated---you'll be in our thoughts.
Hugs,
nc
the most informative women on here. I'm really sorry to hear about your mother and others in your family. I can certainly understand your concerns for your daughter, too. I just want to add my best wishes to you. As hard as it is waiting it out, at least your results will give you some definitive information and give your doctors a better direction in your treatment options. Your daughter and other family members will be well informed also and that can be lifesaving. Try to stay positive and not worry too much, but that's so much easier said than done. You can't change the outcome, so try to save your energy for putting up a fight.
Take care and please keep us updated---you'll be in our thoughts.
Hugs,
nc
Certainly you could do that. Your sample was shipped immediately so if you were to contact anyone I'd contact Myriad directly and let them know. But without your Aunts exact mutation they will run the entire series anyway and if you have a mutation it will come up anyways.
Try not to worry overly much about the results which you should receive back in a few weeks.
Try not to worry overly much about the results which you should receive back in a few weeks.
I don't know if it will help, but it couldn't hurt, so you might as well do it.
We'll all be keeping a good thought for you...
bb
We'll all be keeping a good thought for you...
bb
Hi Ladies,
The mutation is on my mothers side, none of my fathers side has been tested.
I cannot get any information from my aunt re: her test, but do you think I should still call the dr's office and let them know that my family is Ashkenazi?
thanks,
The mutation is on my mothers side, none of my fathers side has been tested.
I cannot get any information from my aunt re: her test, but do you think I should still call the dr's office and let them know that my family is Ashkenazi?
thanks,
Absolutely agree! That's why I asked if it's on the Father side or both Mother & Father as that can happen too!
There are doctors out there that say that men can't pass it on and they're wrong. Genetic specialists will say they absolutely can and do.
There are doctors out there that say that men can't pass it on and they're wrong. Genetic specialists will say they absolutely can and do.
Just a reminder: Many people overlook the possibility of inheriting BRCA gene mutatations from their FATHER'S side of the family!
"5%-10% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are due to BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women who carry these genetic mutations face a 55% to 87% increased lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 20% to 44% increased lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Both men and women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have the same 50% risk of passing these genetic mutations on to their children.
Many remain unaware that these women might have inherited the mutated gene from their father ... and might not routinely collect this information from their patients,” McCuaig and colleagues write. “Deficits in knowledge among healthcare providers and the general population about the inheritance patterns of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations could result in missed opportunities for genetic testing and cancer prevention in individuals with a paternal family history.”
"5%-10% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are due to BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women who carry these genetic mutations face a 55% to 87% increased lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 20% to 44% increased lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Both men and women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have the same 50% risk of passing these genetic mutations on to their children.
Many remain unaware that these women might have inherited the mutated gene from their father ... and might not routinely collect this information from their patients,” McCuaig and colleagues write. “Deficits in knowledge among healthcare providers and the general population about the inheritance patterns of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations could result in missed opportunities for genetic testing and cancer prevention in individuals with a paternal family history.”
Providing Myriad with that information along with your Aunts specific BRCA mutation ID would help and most likely reduce the price of testing from 3000 to 300 as the'll know what to look for specifically.
Do you know which side of your family this is running through? I know you said your mother but is it from her mothers side as well or her fathers side or... both? The only reason I ask is if you find you do or don't have the mutation that would be something the cousins, if any, along that line may need to know for themselves and their children as an FYI. I'm a firm believer in knowledge is power though there are a lot of people who really don't want to know.
Best wishes.
Do you know which side of your family this is running through? I know you said your mother but is it from her mothers side as well or her fathers side or... both? The only reason I ask is if you find you do or don't have the mutation that would be something the cousins, if any, along that line may need to know for themselves and their children as an FYI. I'm a firm believer in knowledge is power though there are a lot of people who really don't want to know.
Best wishes.
I am of Ashkenazi decent, but I did not mention that while at the oncologists office, (they did the blood test there) should I call them in the morning and let them know? Test was done last Friday.
There is a chance you're negative, of course! Are you Ashkenazi Jewish by any chance? Did you get the specific mutation that your Aunt has and supply that to Myriad?
It is my understanding that in people of Jewish descent, the majority of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations are found in one of 3 common spots along the gene. Because of the prevalence of these 3 specific mutations, they usually start by testing for those 3 common mutations first. It's a less expensive test (because they know where to look for the mutations). If testing on those 3 mutations is negative, and there is no other identified mutation in the family, then the next step (for people who meet criteria) is to test the entire BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes for mutations outside of the 3 most common spots. That is known as "reflex testing." Separate and apart from that, some people have gene mutations that are not found by typical full-sequencing. These mutations are called "rearrangements" and it is my understanding that they have to tested for in a specific manner. The test that Myriad runs is called "BracAnalysis Rearrangement Testing" or BART for short. They will not automatically run BART on every person who tests negative and there are certain criteria that indicate the likelihood of a rearrangement. For completeness it makes sense to undergo BART, particularly if your insurance will cover it.
I know that you are consumed by this, how could you not be. Whether or not you are positive for a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation, the very fact that your family has so many cancers in it would put you at a higher risk anyways. If you'd like more information on the BRCA mutations and risks, please take a look at facingourrisk.org which specializes in BRCA and hereditary cancers. All of the latest info on BRCA is there as well as treatment options.
And please let us know how things are going for you. Best wishes.
It is my understanding that in people of Jewish descent, the majority of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations are found in one of 3 common spots along the gene. Because of the prevalence of these 3 specific mutations, they usually start by testing for those 3 common mutations first. It's a less expensive test (because they know where to look for the mutations). If testing on those 3 mutations is negative, and there is no other identified mutation in the family, then the next step (for people who meet criteria) is to test the entire BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes for mutations outside of the 3 most common spots. That is known as "reflex testing." Separate and apart from that, some people have gene mutations that are not found by typical full-sequencing. These mutations are called "rearrangements" and it is my understanding that they have to tested for in a specific manner. The test that Myriad runs is called "BracAnalysis Rearrangement Testing" or BART for short. They will not automatically run BART on every person who tests negative and there are certain criteria that indicate the likelihood of a rearrangement. For completeness it makes sense to undergo BART, particularly if your insurance will cover it.
I know that you are consumed by this, how could you not be. Whether or not you are positive for a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation, the very fact that your family has so many cancers in it would put you at a higher risk anyways. If you'd like more information on the BRCA mutations and risks, please take a look at facingourrisk.org which specializes in BRCA and hereditary cancers. All of the latest info on BRCA is there as well as treatment options.
And please let us know how things are going for you. Best wishes.
The only family history that would be relevant is your Mother and Aunt. If your Mother was positive and then you would be also; the same would apply to your Daughter (if you are positive) and she should be aware and begin some form of imagery at an earlier age than is normally recommended. Keep in mind that you could also be BCRA negative. Regards ....
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