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Avatar universal

chances for breast cancer myself

Ive posted several times here recently, about my moms VERY recent diagnosis of Invasive Lobuluar Carcinoma, and subsequent mastectomy. Today we find out what the surgeon has to say..its only been a week since the surgery. It did involve lymph nodes that showed cancer. I am a 47 yr old woman--and until my mom was diagnosed, there is NO cancer in our entire family. Did this just cause my "chances" of developing breast cancer, to jump significantly? I have had mamograms since I was 35, since i am overweight and have larger breasts. I had one minor "scare"...about 7 years ago that just involved coming in for another mamogram..and they have been watching an area for years that they determined was calcifications. They have me back on the regular yearly mamogram schedule now. But..my moms cancer was missed on 3 mamograms. So I dont have alot of faith in them lately.
My question, however, is--do I need extra testing now? I am just learning about all this breast cancer stuff...and Ive heard that there are two "genes" (please correct me if Im wrong) that a person can carry...do I need to be tested to see if I carry those? I want to hit this head on, before I develop something.
Thanks for any info.
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Avatar universal
Yes, I think it can be inherited from your father.  However, it is the person with breast cancer who should be tested.  If her father has breast cancer, or if one of his first degree relatives has breast cancer, then that person should be tested.  At least this is my understanding.  I have always been told that a mother cannot pass the gene mutation to her children unless she has that gene mutation.
I certainly am no expert, so perhaps one of the doctors or nurses could clarify.
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Avatar universal
Couldn't you inherit the gene paternally as well?
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much! THATS the info I was looking for!!
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Avatar universal
     Most breast cancers are not hereditary.  However, there are two breast cancer gene mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that can be inherited and increase your chances of getting breast and/or ovarian cancer.  Notice that this only increases your chances, and does not guarantee that you will get breast cancer.
     The person to be tested is your mother.  If your mother does not have the mutation, you do not have the mutation.  Your mom can ask her oncologist to give her the test for the gene mutation.  If hers is positive, then you would be tested to see if you inherited it.  
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