Brac2

Hi Loganamum,

I'm sorry you're family have gone through so much pain and so sorry for your loss. I lost my Mum to secondary breast cancer, but we found out we had the BRCA2 mutation whilst she was still with us.

I think the rule of thumb is 2 family cancer diagnosis in last 2 generations to you then you automatically get accepted to have the test. Plus you have the 2 other BRCA2 discoveries in your Auntie and cousin.

You'll still need to see your GP and ask to be referred to a genetic counsellor and go to a few meetings before they'll do the test, but because you yourself have had cancer they should be able to check your notes and maybe streamline you a little more than someone who hasn't had cancer.

I'd say that generally cervical isn't usually in relation to a BRCA mutation, it's more likely to have been HPV related or just some dodgy cell growth, but my Mum also had cervical cancer in her late 30's and breast cancer in late 50's, they think now that her full hysterectomy then may have been what delayed the BC growth.

It's worth starting the process regardless i reckon. Hope that's helpful

Take Care

Anne

Thank you for your reply. I am trying to gently persuade my mum to have the test if not for her then for me and my siblings and subsequently for my daughter and 2 sons. I have still got my ovaries as I was only 36 when I had cervical. I feel that I would rather know if I had the gene and take preventative steps. 
sarah

No worries Sarah, it is difficult when you want to know but other relatives don't, especially when you are grieving for loved ones as well.

The other positive is that your Mum is yet to have a cancer diagnosis? Is that right?

It's always 50/50 hereditory wise. I inherited from my Mum, she hers, but neither my brother or maternal aunt have it after being tested.

Generally BRCA2 is linked to cancers that develop later rather than early in life, late 30's into 40's/50's 

Like I say my Mum had cervical at around 35 I think, 1st BC at 59, 2nd a Brain Tumour at 65 which took her from us after a brave battle. 59 is quite late really for the mutation to work or rather not work it's magic.Which is why we've deduced the hysterectomy that removed her womb, part of cervix and fallopian tubes (also left her ovaries so she didn't crash into menopuase) probably helped delay the first BC growths.

My Nan had BC in her mid 40's and passed from non cancer related illness in her 70's. Back in the 60's they just operated, no chemo or radio, they took so much more than breast tissue from her, they took ribs and chunks from her armpit. but it didn't come back. 

I might be wrong but some studies and articles I've read have given me the impression that most cancers past 60 are related to age and environment rather than genetic.  

Sorry just rambling now, but if you have any questions just ask. I had PBM nearly 6 years ago now and have never looked back!

Sorry no. My maternal aunts daughter and her daughter have the gene. My Aunt died of pancreatic cancer. So the next ones to test are her sisters.. my mum and aunts. My mum doesn’t want to know if she has the gene. Touch wood she has never had cancer. Drs don’t really seem to know much about it all. 

Some GP's and oncologists are on the ball others not so much, unfortunately you've got to drive this.

First step see your GP and insist on a referral with a Genetic Counsellor, then at least you'll be sat in front of someone with a bit of know-how.

Breast Clinics can also be a bit hit and miss, my local one was happy to do my yearly scans and checks, but when it came to my op I had to go back to my GP and ask for a referral to a hospital that had funding for preventative surgeries. Which for me was The Marsden at that time.