frustrated!!!

[maxsmom1001]

I have a very strong family history of breast cancer. My grandmother and her sister both died from Breast Cancer, my mom and her sister are both surviriors. I have had 3 biopsies in the past 7 years ( I am 44) all being fibroadeomas the last one showing hyperplasia with no atypia. I get mammograms, and mri's every year. This has become not only expensive but very frustrating.
At what point should I just do profalactice masctemomy??? My doctor feels that I should just wait but I feel like a walking time bomb

[midavidson]

Have you ever thought about being BRCA tested to see if you carry the Breast Cancer gene?  My mother and grandmother both died of breast cancer and were carriers.  My sister and I were also tested.  My sister tested positive and I negative.  My sister already had a double masectomy at age 29.  It is worth looking into since you have a strong family history.  Most insurance companies will pay for it.

[SueYoung55]

Hi maxsmom,
You are already in a high risk category for breast cancer of the hereditary kind.
1) make an appointment with a genetic counselor, you can find one through your local breast center or major hospital.
2) arrange through your health insurance carrier to get a BRCA test done
This test is expensive and if your health insurance won't cover it then ask your Mother if she could/would get it done as she's already had cancer.
You must meet certain criteria to get prophylactic mastectomies covered by your insurance carrier. I’d want the BRCA testing done either way. But you can move forward with a nod from the genetic counselor in most cases. Be prepared for your insurance company to deny it and be prepared to fight it.
You can find more information on BRCA mutations at www dot facingourrisk dot org (without spaces).
Best wishes!

[bluebutterfly2222]

I understand the anxiety this must cause you, but since you are getting screened regularly and have only had benign findings to date, I can see your doctor's point about waiting.

However, have any of your family members with BC had genetic testing? If they, and then you, are positive for BRCA1 and or BRCA 2 mutations, that would put you in a very high risk category, and in that case prophylactic mastectomies would certainly be something to consider.

Best wishes,
bluebuttertfly