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176401 tn?1339369307

bilateral mastectomy??

I just received my genetic testing results.  I am BRCA2 positive.  I have read that BRCA2 carriers are more sensitive to chemo.  Is that correct? I am scheduled to see a breast surgeon, getting relatives tested, and have lots of information.  I am  very interested in your recommendation about BM.  Thanks so much.
Patsy
stage IIIc diagnosis 8/06, NED now
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, BRCA info was started.
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Avatar universal
akg
Hi there,
I have thought alot about what I would do in the many crisis situations that my wonderful patients deal with.
I think it is easy to say what one would do when it is just theoretical and very difficult when it is real.
so theoretically I personally would have my ovaries removed. I am not sure if I could undergo a prophylactic mastectomy.

But i also appreciate that decision making is different when you have alot at stake with a known BRCA mutation.
best wishes
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176401 tn?1339369307
Your response was so helpful to me.  I can't express how much your answers to all requests have helped me thru this scary journey. I check your responses every day.  Do you mind telling me what you'd do if you were me?
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242604 tn?1328121225
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi There,

You are going to get so much information from your many visits. You can also go to Google and type in BRCA 2. You will get many, many hits.  As a general statement, women with cancer who have these gene mutations seem to have a better prognosis.

As far as bilateral mastectomy, that has been a frequent recommendation for women with BRCA mutations.

here are the risks of these cancers:

BRCA1 Mutation
50 percent to 85 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer
40 percent to 60 percent lifetime risk for second breast cancer (not reappearance of first tumor)
20 percent to 60 percent lifetime risk for ovarian cancer
increased risk for other cancer types, such as prostate cancer

BRCA2 Mutation
59 percent to 82 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer (in females)
6 percent lifetime risk for breast cancer (in males)
up to 27 percent lifetime risk for ovarian cancer
increased risk for other cancer types, such as pancreatic, prostate, laryngeal, stomach cancer, and melanoma

because the risk of breast cancer is so high, many oncologists will recommend a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy

best wishes with your appointments.
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