Hi, I am 21 and I have been to see about getting tested for faulty genes.
My mum had breast cancer at 28 and again at 49. Unfortunately she passed away when she had it the second time.
This got me thinking, is this going to happen to me? So the doctor had suggested I started screening at 25. I was still worried so I went back and asked if there was anything else they could do.
She said it is hard to test when there isnt a living family member to test who has had breast cancer but she is willing to try.
I also asked her what she thought of a preventitive mastectomy. She said this could be an option if my gene test comes back to have a faulty tp53 gene.
I am to go back in a month when she is going to take some blood for this test. I was just wondering if anyone else is going through or has been through something similar?
helen x
Hi Helen,
Sorry to hear about your mum. i am 28 now, I was 26 when dx. my mother had BC at 49 years- there is no family history of BC. We were tested for BRAC1 gene and the results came back clear. Good in a way. I have also been tested for p53 gene, which is much more rare. we were also cleared of that. we are looking to meet and disscuss further options with genetic dept.
I think what you doctor has suggested is right, I feel better to be safe than sorry. it is a horrible thing to have to think about and to have hanging over you, but if you ever did find anythin then the earllier the better. it is great that you are thinking ahead. i myself did not have masectomy. this would be a big step to make for prevetion and should be considered witha great deal of attention. i feel you should talk to your doctor or a breast care nurse about your thoughts. hope this helps you :-).
All the best
Nadia xx
P.S- maybe put a post on ‘genetics’ on this site, it may help your query.