Advice please
Advice please Hi everyone
I have been to see genetics people, done the family tree, etc, and they are now in the process of looking for the BRCA2 gene which they are pretty confident I have. However, I have received a letter from them saying that they have identified some other family members who may be at increased risk and given me forms for them to fill in to get an appointment to see a counsellor. Problem is, I am not that close to these family members and don’t know if they would even want to know that they may be at risk. Any advice on how you go about informing these people. Amongst others is my cousin whose mum died of ovarian cancer when she was a baby but she thinks it was lung cancer and who I only ever see at weddings and funerals. The rest I see even less than that (I have a very big family).
Thanks for your help.
Karen x
Hi
I guess there is no easy way to to tell someone something like that. My mum had a similar situation when she found out she was brca 1 . She ended up writing letters to those concerned and then it was up to them to decide whether act on it.
Its a tough one I know but she felt they had to be told and a found a letter an easier option
good luck!
viv
I never realised all this was so complicated.
i had probs as i had an uncle who died from BC very unusual and they wanted to see his death certificate and contact the hosp. His wife is still alive and the family declined.
I am going to a family wedding and will see some of them but i dont think its the time or place to bring this up. they dont want to know.
I have 3 daughters if my tests come back positive i am leaving a message somewhere but not telling them until they are 30ish.
Rx
I was diagnosed last August which came as a huge shock despite our strong family history. (have been screened since age 26 am now 34) I have two sisters one of whom i have had no contact with for over 10 years. Despite everything that has gone on between us i have allowed the family history clinic to keep her informed of anything that they consider important enough. I have no wish to see/speak to her but i wouldn’t like anything related to the bc to affect her or her children if it could be avoided.
If you know that you’ve informed these family members and they don’t wish to act on the info given then thats up to them!!
Take Care