Brac testing

My daughter, Jewish, has been experiencing abdominal and pelvic pains. Her gynocologist suggested that my wife, her mother, do a BRAC genetic test. (Her mother, my wife, had ovarian cancer 22 years ago; had surgery and chemotherapy and has been well since.)

My question: why wouldn’t my daughter, herself, have the testing rather than my wife?  Thanks.

[Conquerer]

[nyc lady]

Because if your wife's cancer wasn't "genetic" then there is no genetic risk for your daughter or any other children you may have.  If they test your daughter and she is negative, that does not mean that your wife would also be negative, it would just mean your daughter is negative and would not tell you about the "genetics" for your other kids or even grandchildren.  I think.....there are many women I know that have the disease that were tested vs. their daughter's being tested.  If your wife were to test "positive" then your daughter and other children as well as maybe your wife's siblings may want to be tested as well to see if they are postive.  The of being diagnosised with the disease increases by 40 percent when testing positive.

Let's hope that your wife is negative.  

Love to hear about long term survivors!!!!!

[tom2007]

Thanks.  To be sure then ....If a mother is shown to be free of the Brac2 gene does that  rule out the possibility of a daughter having it? Or can a father (or grandfather) pass the gene along to a daughter (or granddaughter)?

[YvonneS]

I am not sure how much the BRAC2 test may mean.  I had done and the results were negative, however, the explanation siad they only tested some genes and that the BRAC2 did not mean my cancer was not genetic.   My mother died from Ovarian cancer in 2001.  The first question any doctor has asked me is: Do you have duaghters, do you have sisters.  So, a negative test may not conculsive.   Good luck to you.

[Diane B]

I had the Genetic testing done and I came out negative for both BRAC 1 and 2.  I have Ovarian Cancer and my Mother died of cancer and so did my Father.  I don't think the genetic shows anythings.  I do know a Father can give his daughter the breast cancer gene, I saw it on TV where a judge's daughter got breast cancer then another daughter got breast cancer then he got breast cancer and the gene came from him and not his wife.  They were all tested and the Judge tested positive.  So you never know what can happen.  I hope this will help.  Good luck!

[Paliki]

yes, men can very well be carriers, I had 3 genetic "counseling" but denied the actual test because it was very obvious that have the gene, the counselor even suggested if we were negative we might possibly have a gene that they havent even found yet, but here is the proof.   my grandmother on mom side had ovarian in her 40's, later in her 50's had breast cancer long term survivor though she died of another Pancreatic cancer just a month ago. my mother in her 50's had breast cancer and is a survivor and her two sisters, both in their 40's at the time had breast cancer.... but one sister (my auntie) after her 8th years of a clean bill of health felt like she had the flu she couldnt kick. she had ovarian cancer it was too late, she passed this year in May,
now MY sister at age 37 has breast cancer and going through Chemo. she did the BRAC test and we are positive for BRAC 2,  so you see BRAC 2 has the Ovarian primary and Breast secondary so we are ALL doing 6 month Ovarian checks.  I will take out my ovaries next year when my sister is all better. and to follow with a double mass the same or following year, my two nieces at age 15 and 16 are well aware of mamograms, they are targets. one niece is from my brother and my brother is probably a carrier. my niece is a spitting image of me.,