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Uknown family history-Askenazi Jewish Heritage
by Ruthiejb, Aug 27, 2009 09:20PM
Hello,
I have extremely limited knowledge of my family's medical history and I am of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, age 58. I was advised by a certificied genetics counselor that I'm not a candidate for Multisite BracAnalysis because, she said, you can't "factor in the unknown" regarding my family history. Since the chances of having a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is quite higher because of my heritage, I would like to have my fallopian tubes and ovaries removed. My question is....will a doctor perform this surgery based on my wishes without genetics testing or knowing my family history? If so,can you advise how I would go about finding such a doctor? Thank you.
I have extremely limited knowledge of my family's medical history and I am of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, age 58. I was advised by a certificied genetics counselor that I'm not a candidate for Multisite BracAnalysis because, she said, you can't "factor in the unknown" regarding my family history. Since the chances of having a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is quite higher because of my heritage, I would like to have my fallopian tubes and ovaries removed. My question is....will a doctor perform this surgery based on my wishes without genetics testing or knowing my family history? If so,can you advise how I would go about finding such a doctor? Thank you.
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Best of luck!
I'm also of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and know nothing of family history beyond my grandparents.
What family was left after WW11 did not speak of diseases, especially cancer.
I have OVCA and my oncologist suggested that I have the BRCA 1 and 2 tests done, for my children and grandchildren. He said it's important for them to have all the medical information they can have.
Unfortunately, being positive increases the possibility of them developing cancer in their lifetimes. Now they can be more vigilant with their future health.
I did have the tests done, and I'm BRCA 2 positive which raises my chance of developing breast cancer.
I'm glad I had the test done, any additional medical knowledge is important to us and to our families.
Be well,
Jane
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I'm so sorry you're going through this...I do hope you're cancer free very quickly. I agree with you and would like to be tested, however, the genetics counselor was not very receptive to that because is don't have cancer. I dont understand how she can liken my risks to that of the general population because my risk is inherently higher due to my heritage. I left a message on her machine to arrange for a consulation. Hopefully, we can get somethng accomplished beyond the talking stage. Jane, may I ask your age when you were diagnosed? I wish the the best to you and your family. As they say, knowledge is power, and now you and your family can do something with that knowledge to help keep yourselves healthy in the future.
Best wishes to you,
Ruthie
Sorry for the delay in responding, I just saw that you had answered my reply to you.
I was 63 when i was diagnosed in 2007, I had all the classic symptoms but my then Internist told me for 6 months, that my symptoms were from a medication I was on for arthritis.
It wasn't until i saw my GYN that the mass on the ovary was detected, by then it had spread to my lymph nodes.
Stay well,
Jane
Wishing you the best,
Ruthie
Can you consult with a different genetics counselor?
PA
I thank you for your response. I have an appointment with the same genetics counselor on Sept 16, who turned out to be much nicer and more receptive on the telephone. I filled out a personal medical and family history questionnaire (what little I know) and faxed it back to her. I'm hoping they'll take blood for the Multisite test on that day because I do want to know where I stand as far as the BRACA mutation. Of course I hope I'm negative, but if I do test positive, I will definitely talk to a surgeon about removing my ovaries and tubes. I feel like I'm running out of time because I'm 58 years old.