BRCA 1

[blessedwitluv]

I found out I have this gene mutation =\

I don't even know what it means exactly =\

[jenny001]

About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary. In these cases, breast cancer runs in the family. Similarly, 5 to 10 percent of ovarian cancer is hereditary. Hereditary cancer occurs because of a change in genes that is passed down to children. Some genetic changes cause an increased risk of cancer. In families passing an inherited change in a gene, multiple family members get the same type of cancer.

If you are BRCA positive - it means that you "carry the breast cancer gene" - thus the mutation.  Since you already had the double mastectomy, you are one step ahead.  If you have Sisters, they need to be screened for breast cancer regularly, early and often.  If they could be tested - to see if they also carry the gene - that would be better.

There is a connection between breast and ovarian cancer - especially if you are BRCA AND hormone positive.  Please discuss this with your doctors.

Basically what it means is that you had a high risk of getting breast cancer which of course already happened. Relax for now and wait the arrival of your baby.  Then get your treatments and talk with your doctor about what further needs to be done.

Hats off to you for having the bilateral mastectomy - it prevents you from going for another surgery.  Keep us updated on your upcoming treatments, after the birth of your baby of course.

[blessedwitluv]

Thank you very much for replying...this gives me more clarity....looking up info and hearing doctors talk can be frustrating, confusing, and just plain huh and when you leave that's when you figure out the right kinds of questions to ask...Thank you again! =)

Quoting jenny001:

About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary. In these cases,
breast cancer runs in the family. Similarly, 5 to 10 percent of ovarian
cancer is hereditary. Hereditary cancer occurs because of a change in
genes that is passed down to children. Some genetic changes cause an
increased risk of cancer. In families passing an inherited change in a
gene, multiple family members get the same type of cancer.

If you are BRCA positive - it means that you "carry the breast cancer gene" - thus the mutation.  Since you already had the double mastectomy, you are one step ahead.  If you have Sisters, they need to be screened for breast cancer regularly, early and often.  If they could be tested - to see if they also carry the gene - that would be better.

There is a connection between breast and ovarian cancer - especially if you are BRCA AND hormone positive.  Please discuss this with your doctors.

Basically what it means is that you had a high risk of getting breast cancer which of course already happened. Relax for now and wait the arrival of your baby.  Then get your treatments and talk with your doctor about what further needs to be done.

Hats off to you for having the bilateral mastectomy - it prevents you from going for another surgery.  Keep us updated on your upcoming treatments, after the birth of your baby of course.

[JanetheWriter]

Sorry to hear this news.  If you haven't already done so, visit www.facingourrisk.org, the website for FORCE, a national non-profit organization devoted exclusively to individuals and families with HBOC (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) syndrome.  There you'll find TONS of information about research and advocacy, as well as a huge, supportive network (check out the message boards) of other BRCA positive women from whom you can learn so much!  Good luck to you!

[jenny001]

Keep a journal or just write things down on a tablet.

When you think of a question or concern - write it down and take it to your appointments.  You are right - it is hard to remember what the doctor is saying or what questions you might have.  Thats why the tablet is so important.

During my first appointment with my surgeon - my son and daughter and husband were with me.  My daughter (a nurse) asked the questions and my son wrote everything down.  Same thing - at my first appointment with my oncologist.

I appreciated that so much - so after I left these appointments, with my head spinning, my heart pounding and tears in my eyes I could later look at this information and then start doing my own research.  It helped so much.

I had my tablet in my "goodie bag" that I took to my chemo treatments.  It had my drink, my crackers, reading material, a puzzle book, my Ipod, my slippers and my prayer shawl (made by a woman from church, placed on the alter and blessed by our minister.  It was sometimes cool in the chemo room so it kept me warm.)

I took that tablet with me until I was finished everything.  Now I just have an index card in my wallet - with the dates of my surgeries, my chemo drugs and start to finish dates and what meds I'm on now.

For now, enjoy your Boys and we all await the birth of you newest addition to your family.

God Bless and know we are all here for you!