I have a significant family history, mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer aged 36 got ovarian cancer 2 years later and eventually died aged 44 from secondary ovarian cancer. The youngest of my aunties on her side to die did so at 28. The oldest was I think in her late forties. My closest cousin on that side died at 40 (her mum was the one that died at 28) and so it goes on through the rest of the family...
For years I was convinced I would die aged 44 and it took a lot of work to get rid of that idea and accept that I am a separate person, my body behaves differently etc. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I eat reasonably well with fruit and veg but could use some more exercise!
I was referred to a genetic counsellor when I was in my twenties who went through my options. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone to test me against for the BRCA mutations because (a) most of my family who got it died and (b) those members of my family who have survived breast cancer live abroad in the caribbean and it is beyond our financial means to organise DNA testing. The outcome was that they would just keep monitoring me. I've been having annual smear tests since the age of about 24 and they started me on mammograms aged 34. My latest genetic counsellor also tried to get me onto the MRI trial but because I was considered too young they said I didn't qualify. As a result she suggested I try for MRIs again aged 40. She also tried to get me on the UKFOSS trial and was told I should try again at 35. Of course, now that I am 35; I have Breast Cancer... (part of me wonders if I had been on the MRI trial if they would have picked it up because they do say they can see things 3 years before you feel them. I also gather that rules changed on MRI screening in the past 18 months so had I know that, I may have been able to pick up the cancer earlier, anyway...)
NOTE: As a result of having breast cancer I was able to be tested and am the proud to be a BRCA1 mutant - at least it means I can help in some more clinical trials :D
