Herediatary Considerations for OVCA?

[crimson_glory]

My question may seem strange, but what are the typical hereditary cancer relationships, doctors look at when trying to decide those who are high risk for Ovarian Cancer? I know breast cancer is one of the top ones, but what are others?

I specifically ask this, because I don't come from a family with alot of females, however in the males there is a (VERY) high incidence of prostate cancer. (4 out of 5 of my father's family have developed it). Also, there is high incidence of colon cancer in the females.

I know this is a long shot, and may sound absurd - but any insight would be appreciated.

[jane65]

I am BRCA 2 positive diagnosed in 2007 with 4B epithelial  OVCA at 63, and my brother  had prostate cancer in his 60's.

I know that my children and grandchildren unfortunately have a greater risk for cancer and that distresses me greatly. They will be more vigilant with their future health, I'm sure.

[lttaylor]

I am BRCA1 Positive and when I had prophylactic surgery to have a my ovaries and uterus removed, they found a tiny 1.5mm ovca on the outside of my left ovary. I think that the information that you have already received from the other comments about covers it all with the process of having the gene testing done. I think that it is imperative that you research your family tree well before you go and then make sure that you are prepared for the possibility that you may be positive and the impact that it means for your family as well as you. It does mean that if you are positive, that your offspring have a 50/50 percent chance that they have the gene also. Thankfully, my two daughers are negative. BRCA1 positive males do have a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer. Your risk of ovca is 44% higher according to some statistics and 87%higher for breast cancer. This is why if you are positive, you would definately want to have your ovaries removed at the least. Mine was a blessing or else I would not have found it at the stage 1C because I have never had any symptoms nor any problems. There was no indication that I had ovca at the time of my surgery. I am presently undergoing chemotherapy due to the fact that my ovca is grade 3. Please be tested if you have any idea that your family may be at risk. Once the gene is identified, your other family members can use that gene marker to be tested and it is not as expensive. God bless you and I hope all goes well.

[crimson_glory]

Great input. Thanks so much.
As of yet, I haven't been diagnosed with cancer. I just feel like I'm getting the run-around, and alot of what I'm asking is getting dismissed without further explanation.
I do have a strong family background of certain types of cancer, and they have been confirmed hereditary-related by the physician at the time.

Currently, I'm getting trans vaginal ultrasounds done approximately 3 - 6 months apart to monitor an ongoing "cyst" and my endometrial lining. Along with that, I've had abnormal endometrial biopsy results.

None of this points to Ovarian Cancer concerns. I understand that.
I'm just following up on warnings given to our family by the other physician, when my grandmother died of cancer a few years ago. I'm of the age now, for screening.


Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

[doicat]

There are so many unknowns here.  I had endometriosis dx at 18 and my mother's mother died of OVCA at 35.  My GYN back then told me there was no more chance I'd get OVCA than any other woman on the street but now they believe that endometriosis is related to clear cell OVCA which I have.  Also was tested for the BRCA genes and was negative.

My advice is if any close relative has OVCA be extra diligent.  Insist on vaginal ultrasounds yearly.
My two cents worth.

[shewrites]

I 'm told that the risk of breast cancer is increased if you've had ovarian cancer, and the risk of ovarian cancer is increased if you've had breast cancer.  Which is why I don't get too upset with the Susan G Komen crowd as I may need the results of their research -- and their research could help the ovca crowd, too.  

[nyc lady]

They say that you have an increased risk (of less than 10 percent) if a first line relative has had breast, ovarian or colon cancer.

[MinnieWM]

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation put you at risk for a group of cancers, not just breast cancer.  Yes, prostate and colon cancer are included in those group.

Below are a couple of paragraphs from the website:  

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
----------------------------
A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Such a woman has an increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer at an early age (before menopause) and often has multiple, close family members who have been diagnosed with these diseases. Harmful BRCA1 mutations may also increase a woman’s risk of developing cervical, uterine, pancreatic, and colon cancer (1, 2). Harmful BRCA2 mutations may additionally increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, gallbladder and bile duct cancer, and melanoma (3).

Men with harmful BRCA1 mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer and, possibly, of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, and early-onset prostate cancer. However, male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer appear to be more strongly associated with BRCA2 gene mutations (2–4).

The likelihood that a breast and/or ovarian cancer is associated with a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is highest in families with a history of multiple cases of breast cancer, cases of both breast and ovarian cancer, one or more family members with two primary cancers (original tumors that develop at different sites in the body), or an Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish background (see Question 6). However, not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes. Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer.

[gah_70]

The thing about ovarian cancer is that more than 90% of cases are not hereditary, even if other family members have some form of cancer.  I was under the impression that when ovarian cancer is estrogen related, then the incidence for breast cancer could be higher.  I was mistaken, however.  The type of ovarian cancer really doesn't make a difference.  I am currently awaiting test results from BRCA testing, and even though my cancer is highly estrogen receptor postive, the highest risk factor for me is age. I was 35 when diagnosed, and that is considered quite young for ovarian cancer.  If I test postive for either BRCA 1 or 2, the only thing that will change is my mammogram schedule.  They will do an MRI once a year, and a mammogram once a year, rotating them every 6 months.  In other words, an MRI in January, a mammogram in July, an MRI the next January, a mammogram the next July, etc.  

Your best bet would be to see a genetics counselor and have them do a "family tree".  Before you go, brush up on which of your family members have/had cancer, and at what age they were diagnosed, and if they have passed away.  My counselor went as far back as my great grand parents, even though I don't know much about that far back.  

The thing about the males with prostate cancer, much of that depends on age when they were diagnosed.  If they were in their 60's on up, then there really won't be much of a risk factor there.  There are several studies out there that say as many as 80% of ALL men would test postive for prostate cancer in their 70's or 80's.  It's just that it usually moves so slowly that they die of other causes before prostate cancer has a chance to advance or show symptoms.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule.  There is still window there in which genetics may play a part.  So, that's why I encourage you to talk to a genetics counselor one on one to figure out if there is anything in particular for which you should be looking.  There is also a group out there called FORCE that looks into the relationship between ovarian and breast cancer.  You can Google them to get more info.

Best wishes to you.

Gail

[kismetfarm]

My grandmother had two sisters and three brothers.  All the sisters got breast cancer and my grandmother also got OVCA and all the brothers got prostate cancer.  I haven't had it confirmed that there is a relationship between the BC and Prostate though there is no doubt that we have a family history of BC and OVCA (and a BRCA gene variation of unknown significance).    There were actually no sons in the next generation and the third generation are only coming up to middle age now so no evidence that the prostate cancer predisposition is hereditary.