Hi there, I’m Katie 36 and just wanted some advice or people’s experiences if possible?
My Gran had breast cancer in 1984 and at the time had a radical mastectomy where she had her breast and all lymph nodes removed from her left armpit. She made a full recovery and lived for a further 12 years before dying of natural causes.
My Mum (Gran’s Daughter) was diagnosed with breast cancer and it had also spread to her lymph nodes in left armpit diagnosed June 2016. She too had mastectomy and lymph nodes removed and she opted for breast reconstruction in same surgery. Also had chemo and radiotherapy. And many other treatments as the cancer returned and spread drastically.
Mum was petrified it was hereditary especially after her Mum having had exactly same cancer so Mum was checked for the BRCA gene which thankfully she didn’t have. I lost my beautiful Mum in November 2020 and since she’s gone I have been worrying so much that il end up getting breast cancer. I know I am at higher risk of getting it due to family history my Mum’s Auntie also had ovarian cancer and I have had to have surgery to have 14cm cyst removed from my ovary all just dermoid cyst nothing sinister. My eldest sister who is 45 has had to go on tamoxifen as something showed up on her mammogram and I am still 3 and a half years away from having my first mammogram due to me having them start at 40 with my family history.
Has anyone else here experienced this? My Mum was a nurse and when she found the lump on herself she said she had been waiting for the day as she knew she’d get it like her mum. I worry so much and 
w Mum has gone I feel I can’t ask anyone else
Hi Twinkle1984
A very warm and gentle welcome to the community. I'm so sorry to hear about your mum and gran - it must be a difficult time for you just now having lost your mum so recently and I hope you are able to access some help with that if you need it.
I think it's natural for you to be worried that you will develop breast cancer but if your mum didn't have the BRCA gene then there's as much reason to think that you won't. Unfortunately, breast cancer is very common and affects, I think, one in eight people in the UK so coincidences of families getting it are quite likely.
It's still very soon after losing your mum so it's understandable that your mind would be concentrating on her and the illness that dominated her life for the last 4 years. Getting through the grieving process takes time and I hope that as you work through that, the fears that you have about developing cancer yourself will naturally subside.
You seem to be worried that your mammogram screening is over 3 years away - the majority of breast cancers are found by women themselves so it's important that you keep checking your breasts and see your GP if there is anything you are unsure of. This might not seem like the reassurance that you want, but it really is the best thing you can do to help protect yourself and begin to reassure yourself that things are OK.
I'm adding a link to Macmillan's breast cancer leaflet which has instructions on how to check your breasts
You are welcome to chat to us as much as you like, there is also a main Breast cancer group which is a little busier and you'll get a warm welcome there too. Lots of people post in both groups so feel free to join in wherever you feel comfortable.
I can see you have already found our Bereaved Family and Friends group - that's also a good place for you to get support.
Macmillan is here to support anyone affected by cancer so you can also use the support phone line if you ever feel you need to talk to someone (0808 808 0000 7 days a week 8am -8pm)
I know this is a very difficult time for you and I hope that you are able to find some support and solace here.
Sending virtual hugs
R
