I was asked a couple of weeks back to take part in a study of breast cancer and genetics. Ive had to have blood taken and send back to the study centre.
I had to fill in a rather long questionnaire and go into my family history of health, while doing this I was contacted by my sister who I had not spoken to for fifteen years to be told that she had gone through breast cancer seven years ago, Ive also found out since then another sister had a lump removed but this was benign, also her daughter had a lump removed and this too was benign. My mother had cancer but not breast and my aunty, her sister passed away some years ago with cancer. The thing that now worries me is will my daughter be at risk? Shes seventeen and I do worry because of the history in my family. I suppose I will just have to wait until the researchers get back to me. They have told me that they will get in contact if they found anything in the genetics but the waiting is hard.
the waiting will be hard - always the what if’s and the nagging doubts - but, if they have promised to get back to you, then they will. You mentioned your sister had breast cancer but, although other family members have had cancer no others had breast cancer - I think this is very positive for you.
Whilst waiting for the researchers to contact you, may i suggest that you get the leaflets on being breast aware and share them with your daughter. I think the best way to combat breast cancer is by early diagnosis and, if we all know what is ‘normal’ for us then we can report any changes quickly.
Filling in questionairres does make us very aware of health issues. Problems are usually spread out but once we see them listed together it can be quite scary. So try not to get worried, if you really are finding that hard then try calling the helpline or speak to your gp.
hugs
Ruth
The wait for genetic testing can be very long 18months to 2 yrs I was told. The geneticist compared t to looking for a spelling mistake in a dictionary!
In fact the NHS did not find mine, but a research unit did. I too had to send bloods etc, and they followed up with another request (Ithink) 5yrs later, with another lengthy questionaire.