hi im new to this. basically my situation is that my mum died of breast cancer aged 29 and because of this i have been refered to the genetics clinic. i have had a family history chart done showing all the members of my mums side of the family who have died of various cancers but my mum was a really random case. she is the only one to have had BC. i am having my first mamogram this month aged 26 and am a bit worried. however i was watching a programme last night and have become interested in the gentics test to test for the BRCA gene to see if you have a faulty gene that makes you more likely to get breast cancer. i dont know if i would be able to get it and how to go about it. i think it would be better and less time consuming than me having to go for regular mamograms but i dont know. any help or info would be appreciated.xx
Dear huggles85,
Welcome to the forum. I’m sure other members will soon be along to offer some support.
The helpline would also be able to offer you information and support. They will be open tomorrow from 9.00-2.00pm. (On weekdays they are open 9-5.) Do think of giving them a call. The number is 0808 800 6000
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Facilitator
sorry, i dont know anything about gentics, but i am sure there will be somebody along soon who does, or ring the helpline tomorrow, they will be able to explain it all and tell you what your options are.
hi huggles, difficult decision eh ? you should try to find out a little more about the implications of having the gene test before you agree to anything, at the moment you are being looked after and monitored, so if anything should be amiss you can be sure you have all the help on hand, perhaps discussing it with a councilor would be a good idea, you need to think how you would cope if you got a possitive result, the ripple effect is tremendious, i have a friend who reciently took the test, hers proved possitive, she has bcra1 she is now waiting to have a double mastectomy and ovary removal she is a lot older than you and has already had breast cancer once, it is a very tough call, she will be having her surgery as a preventative measure now she knows she carries the gene, what ever you decide to do best wishes x angie
hi thank you for your comments. im still unsure but will speak to my geneticist next time. i have 2 young children so i think i would rather know than not know and then i can do sumthing about it. prevention rather than cure. maybe the test would comeback with good news…my mum was a pretty random case in the family and by far the youngest to die of any form of cancer. i dont know. with having my own family to think about now i dont think i could bear not knowing. i was only 3 when my mum died and it was horrible. im nearly the age my mum was when she found out about her cancer. it scares me to death.xx