I was diagnosed with stage 3 er and her 2 positive bc in june. My younger sister was diagnosed the week after me. We have no obvious family history of bc but she gas tested positive for brca2. I have to go for genetics testing in friday and have been told there is highly likely i will be positive. Does this diagnosis effect treatment? I am halfway through chemo? I know if positive i will need further surgery. Tbis is such a blow aftef bc diagnosis.
Hi Sib. I went for my BRCA blood test today. The genetics counsellor has told me that it is highly likely given my family histpry that I will be positive, alhtough until the results are through, I cannot be certain. However, she did say that only a small number were positive who are tested, and that is also based on targetted testing, where there is a higher chance of carrying the gene. I won’t say don’t worry though because I do understand that until we are told otherwise, we will!
Your focus at present needs to be on your current tretament plan. I’m learning how much a BC daignosis is almost like an unfolding experience! Plans and treatment can - and do - frequently change as we are given an individualised plan which is often subject to change depending on our body! I am already having a double mastectomy when my chemo is over (I am due for cyle 3 tomorrow out of 8), so the outcome of the BRCA test for me will not affect my treatment for the BC, but it will help me decide whether to have my ovaries/ fallop’s removed if I’m BRCA2. It also has implictaions for my sister, and all our children as they too will have a 50% chance of having it if I have. I want them to have that information so they can make choices in the future, for themselves and their children.
I hope your genetics counsellor is as clear and helpful as mine was so that whatever the outcome for you, you feel supported and able to get some clarity. Take care & best of luck for a negative. Jacqui xx
Thanks for reply. I am brca 2 positive so will need mastectomy and ovaries removed . Just another blow as i am finding chemo very harsh.
Hi there!
I was diagnosed triple negative BC in September at 28… sent immediately for the genetics test due to the type I have and my age.
I saw a wonderful lady in Manchester who said that even if I go for the test, there is multiple outcomes. And even if i got a positive result I didn’t need to act on it in terms of surgery until I was ready… I didn’t get any sense that it would affect my treatments just my surgery options to take preventative measures further down the line, but it’s all on me and my choices.
Hope this helps ease your mind a little 