Brca1 & 2 results came back

My daughter's gyn wanted me to have the brca test.  I did it.  The results came back that I do not have either gene for breast/ovarian cancer.  To me these results mean nothing.  Ovarian cancer has hit myself and my mother.  My grandma also died of liver tumors with the primary site either ovary or lung.  She had both cancers.  My great grandma died from what has been described by relatives as " a big stomach cancer that made it so she couldn't eat anymore ".  My dad died from advanced prostate and colon cancer.  His dad died from rectal/colon cancer at a very young age.  Cancer does run in our family.  No test can convince me otherwise.  The nurse congratulated me after giving me the results.  She said now you won't need to worry.  I am still worried for my girls and grandchildren.  Marie

[bohan54]

Worry is our middle name.  My sister had a transvaginal ultrasound last week, there is a growth they "believe" is a cyst.  She is to return in 6 weeks, guess what she'll be doing til then?
Sharon

[JC145]

I agree, Marie.  My dtrs. don't want me to get the test.  They feel they will stay very watchful and there are no guarantees they won't get it anyway .. like you said.  My Dad had prostate cancer and I wonder if I got the gene from  him .. if I have it at all.  We didn't have much cancer in my direct family .. I have 3 much older brothers and no cancer there .. thank God.  I still think the test is a good test .. but it sure doesn't come with any guarantees.  One positive hope that I have is that a cure will be found soon .. or at least a more definitive blood test .. and sooner, than later.  I am always hopeful for a cure.  Avastin is a very new drug doing great things.  If they can define the gene responsible, can a cure be far behind?

[Angie_Lou]

Dear Marie,

I'm not here to break any bubbles, but if you had the test done for your children, did the genetic testing counselor ask if there was any history of cancer on your husband's side of the family?  I think people lose sight that this can be found on either side of one's family genes.

And, although you may have tested negative, it is not to say that your Mother or Grandmother didn't have the gene.

I went and had the test done for my sister and her children.  The test was negative, however, my mother died of breast cancer back in the 80s and the test was not available.  Had it been, I know my Mother would have done it for both my sister and me.  Since we will never know if our Mother or Grandmother (another cancer victim) carried the gene, I don't find my results reassuring that my sister is clear of it.  I just don't know how to ask her to do it for herself...and who really knows what this test is really all about, because,

Yes, I had/have the ovarian cancer and don't carry the gene.  Go figure.

Angie

[marie3B]

There must be other gene problems other than the brca1 & 2 that they haven't learned of yet that cause ovca, too.  There is no doubt in my mind that my cancer has been passed down to me.  I just hope her doctor will not be less vigilant in her care because I did not test positive for the brca problem. She (my oldest daughter) is so much like me with all of her IBS symptoms.  Marie

[SimplyStar]

Leslee had the Brac readings done, hers came back negative but with the narrative that said all had not been learned as of yet to determine just what causes the cross over from breast to Ovarian.  We still feel there is a connection between her father  being exposed to radiation in the atomic tests in 1946, so many of those guys died of cancer and their offspring also  hold a much higher rate than normal.  It did not show this for her.  

[silver&gold]

I was tested for the ca199 tumour marker , my father had pancreatic cancer and the oncology team at my cancer centre thought that there might be a connection between his cancer and mine.

Angie

[marie3B]

Thank you, everyone for you responses.  This disease is such a monster.  So many unknowns.  Without all of you I would be a wreck.  Marie