genetic testing
genetic testing Hi
I was wondering if anyone has had any genetic tests done. I have three sons and I was wondering whether I should approach the genetic test centre to ask if it would be suitable/useful for them to have any tests?
I wouldn’t like to think that they have the possibilty of getting BC as well.
I might say that I have four sisters and my mother still living who have never had a problem with their breats! Two brothers as well, so I come from a big tribe!!
Best wishes
Bill
I’m due tests Bill,
There has been much discussion as to whether genetics is an issue for me.
I have had family members(all female) who have had a related Cancer, whether it has been Breast or Ovarian. From this point of view it is a possibility and I’m waiting for my appointment for testing. I am keen to find out, especially as I have two young daughters.
If you believe that you may have a link, whether it is a generation removed or not, it is porbably worth talking to your Dr. I think you may be able to have it done privately, if your concerns are being ignored. There are genetic centres all over the country.
All the best
Brian
Hi to you all I don’t know whether any of you (I know some of you have) have gone down the genetics path regarding your cancer diagnosis, but I thought I’d post this. Its from cancerbacup, the breast&ovarian section. David I thought this would interest you inparticular.
Significant family historyBetween 5 and 10% of all breast cancers are thought to be hereditary. This means that the vast majority of breast cancers (9 out of 10) happen sporadically or spontaneously, i.e. without a family history. Breast cancer is a common cancer - about 1 in 10 women in the UK will get it during their lifetime (around 10%). So if you have just one or even two elderly relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, it does not mean that you are at a much increased risk yourself.
However, if you have any of the following in your close family you might want to see your GP and be referred to a familial cancer clinic:
three close blood relatives (from the same side of the family) who developed breast cancer at any age, or
two close relatives (from the same side of the family) who developed breast cancer under 60, or
one close relative who developed breast cancer under the age of 40, or
a case of male breast cancer, or
a case of bilateral breast cancer (this means in both breasts).
Breast cancer is very rare in men, but men can pass on a breast cancer gene to their children. So it is possible to inherit a breast cancer gene from your father’s side of the family.
As some of the known cancer genes cause an increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancer, they may play a role if you have members with ovarian cancer and breast cancer in your family. So you should be referred to a specialist if you have:
a minimum of one of each tumour (i.e. one breast cancer, one ovarian cancer), with the breast cancer being diagnosed under 50 years. This can also be in the same person. Or
two cases of ovarian cancer in your close family.
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Breast screeningIf you are thought to be at significantly higher risk of breast cancer than the general population you will be offered breast screening (mammograms) from the age of around 35 or 40. At 50, all women in the UK, regardless of their personal risk, are offered regular breast screening. Mammograms (breast x-rays) cannot prevent breast cancer, but they can help to detect it at an earlier stage, which increases the chances of successful treatment. There is a theoretical risk that the x-ray radiation from the mammogram can in itself cause cancer. However, the amount of radiation from a mammogram is tiny and doctors believe that this theoretical risk is outweighed by the benefit of detecting breast cancer earlier. CancerBACUP has further information about breast cancer and about mammograms.
Services that provide mammograms to women under 50 who are at high risk of developing cancer are available in some parts of the UK but not others. Unfortunately, little reliable evidence exists to show that breast screening can make a big difference for the successful treatment of high-risk women under 50. This is because it is new medical practice and its effects have not yet been observed over very many years. However, currently a screening study is being conducted for women at increased breast cancer risk, and if you are offered mammography under the age of 50 it should be as part of this big study. Once the results from the study are available, it is hoped that breast screening for women under 50 who have a significant family history of cancer can indeed make a difference to their chances of being successfully treated. Screening services for women under 50 who have a high risk of developing breast cancer, would then be established nationwide.
Screening is not normally offered to very young women (under 35 or 40). This is due to the theoretical risk of radiation, and also because breast tissue in young women is denser than in older women. Mammograms therefore don’t work very well for very young women. Screening with ultrasound is currently being tried in some research trials to work out whether it is a good alternative to mammography. Currently, ultrasounds are not routinely used for breast cancer screening, because they have not yet been shown to be more effective than mammograms.
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Screening outside the NHSYou might be very worried about your breast cancer risk but find that the NHS in your area does not offer you regular mammograms before the age of 50. Some women in this situation consider paying for regular screening tests from private healthcare companies. If you are under 35, or you don’t have a very strong family history, then regular mammograms in the private sector are not the right option for you, even if you are very worried. In this situation it is best to speak to a breast care nurse or to your genetic counsellor about why you are worried and what you could do to help yourself feel better.
If you are over 35 or 40 and have a strong family history (see the criteria above), but find that the NHS in your area does not offer mammograms to you, you might be wondering whether to pay for a private sector mammogram.
It is important to remember that there is as yet no good evidence to show that yearly mammograms are helpful to women under 50 who have a strong family history. Also, there is the risk of radiation that increases with every additional mammogram. However, as a general rule, earlier rather than later detection of breast cancer makes it easier to treat and more likely to be cured. It is important for you to discuss the pros and cons of breast screening with your genetic counsellor or GP before you decide to pay for private mammograms. You can also ask them for the contact details of private mammogram services if you decide that this is what you want to do.
Hope this might help
If you’ve already seen this section I apologise in advance
kind regards
Justine