hi everyone, i got my test results today negative for braca 1 and braca 2, i am so relieved i carnt tell you, not only does it mean no ovarian surgery for me, but i have 2 beautiful daughters who will be ok, i have already had breast cancer 10 years ago in my left breast for which i had a lumpectomy and chemo and rads, i have recently been diagnosed again this time on the right side, for which i had a mx, chemo currently 4 of 6 tax, to be followed by rads, i am 44 years old, i have asked for a mx on my left breast, i cannot live the rest of my life worrying about whether it will come back again, please can someone share their experiences with me i am sure i know what i have to do, but is there anyone who has been here before me that can advise me liz xxx
Hi elizabethtracey,
sorry i am new to all of this (dx on 1st feb, had mx 7th march, don’t need rads, question mark over chemo at the mo (cos am stage 2, no lymph node involvement) blah blah blah…
will be havin genetics test tho as there is a ‘faulty’ gene in my family (sooo much cancer - of all kinds).
But i’m a single mum to a 3yr old & anxious for her future.
So the only thing i have to say really is ‘u must be so relieved’ that ur lovely daughters are gonna be ok.
Lots of love & good luck to u.
Love Chez. xx
hi Chez, i really dont know how i would have reacted if the test had been positive, because although i really didnt have any way of knowing at the time i conceived i would have felt very guilty at the thought of possibly passing it on. Its one of those situations where i know i would have blamed myself, daft i know but we carnt help how we are can we?
Anyway good luck to you too and hope everything goes ok for you, keep me posted lots of love liz xxxxxx
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Hi Liz, firstly I’m glad you got the good news about the BRCA genes, that’s a real positive.
I’ve just had bilateral mx owing to extensive HG DCIS on the right, but nothing on the left. My mum’s family is riddled with cancer, especially bc which several of her relatives have died from including her uncle and grandmother, but not at a young age. She got her first bc at 54, and now her second in the other breast at 73. This time it’s aggressive stage 3. She’s had WLEs for both, rads and chemo and is about to start herceptin.
I was diagnosed at the age of 49, shortly after mum had started chemo for this lot. I had WLE initially, but the DCIS was much larger than they thought so they advised mx. I researched risk factors in depth, but was told there were no reasons to suspect BRCA genes because mum and I were both over 45 on diagnosis, and because I don’t have any children they didn’t feel it was necessary to test us. In the end I decided to have bilateral mx because I didn’t want the risk, because my DCIS was largely invisible on mammogram, and because my mum’s initial bc started the same way as mine did. My surgeon doesn’t like doing prophylactic mx, but agreed because I’d researched it and had a good argument involving risks, lifestyle etc.
So I had the op on 8 March, and have no regrets. On weds I got my results, and I had lobular hyperplasia on the left, which with my family history had a pretty good chance of becoming bc, so I feel even more happy with my decision.
There are so many risk factors, and no-one knows what it is that makes one person develop bc while another doesn’t. It’s got to be combinations of all of those risks, and genetics is a part of that whether you carry the specific gene or not. It’s so much more difficult for you having children to worry about, but you can’t help your genetics. Think of all the good genes you’ve given them too!
I hope you come to a decision you’re happy with. It certainly isn’t easy. My bcc volunteer said to me that if I decided to have bilateral mx, I had to be positive about not regretting it, so whatever the outcome I could always remember why I did it, and that I had risks of the bc recurring.
I’d love know what you decide and wish you all the best. Love, Lynne x
Hi Lynne,
I originally got diagnosed 10 years ago, on the left side, I had a lumpectomy for that,
However now its got me again, on the right side, I have recently had a mx,
I have now decided what I need/have to do and that is have the left side mx.
It wont be easy, I dont suppose, but it has to be done, I am only 44 now my original diagnosis I was 34 years young.
I must do everything I can to stop it, I will do it, I will beat it,
I cannot accept this evil horrible disease will ever get the better of me.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me.
Much love Liz xxxx
Hi Liz
I had a mastectomy 8 years ago (+chemo) and lived with one boob for 7 years quite comfortably, if you know what I mean. I was devastated when it was diagnosed in the other breast last March. I had another mastectomy (+chemo) and now I am no longer lopsided, which is more comfortable than before. Apparently I could have had lumpectomy both times, but I chose to get rid of the whole thing each time. Thank goodness we only have 2, at least I cannot have a primary a 3rd time. I am quite happy to have falsies in my pocketed bras, and those who don’t know, can’t tell, and those who do, never think about it.
You can read more details of my diagnosis on my profile.
All the best to you, you will make the right decision for YOU, each one of us is different.
Maria
hi Maria, yes I agree with you about having a mx as opposed to anything else,
What is it they say “in for a penny in for a pound” well I dont intend risking it again, so I am opting for another mx
Thanks for sharing your experience.
All the very best Liz xxxxx