3rd Time in Family

What Is  your diagnosis of type of breast cancer  here for you

I would ask for genetic testing. With your family hisotry, you should be eligible. I would ask that they look into genes that are associated with breast cancer specifically, and depending on the types of cancer your mother and brother had, then possibly also genes that are associated with cancer in general. The benefit of knowing is in that with some cancers a person can take preventative steps, and with others a person with a gene mutation would be offered closer monitoring, depending on the statistical probability. 

What breast cancer did you have last time and what is it this time? Are you being treated in the same hospital? 

I'd make sure the consultant is aware of the breast cancer history from last time, including what treatments were given. As for the family, it depends on the dynamic. Sometimes it helps to share even at the cost of causing heartbreak at first, thanks to the long term benefit of being able to lean on each other, but that is not the case in all families.

Thank you so much for your message. Yes it’s the same hospital and the same team of doctors and they do know my family history.I have a twin sister who is never poorly and she more or less mirrored what you have just said as we have 2 older brothers , one who is NEVER ill and unfortunately my other brother seemed to have the same genetic makeup as me and he died of cancer 3 years ago . Yes it’s scary, yes I think why me again but that not going to help me get through the next 6 months so as I’ve said I have now got my positive head on and I beat it once, I can do it again. Good luck and keep positive.

Squealor

Grade 3 negative highly invasive . Know I’ve come to terms with the fact I’ve got it in the other breast I’ve got my positive head on. I beat it once, I can beat it again. I’m very lucky to have a wonderful team of doctors and nurses that I’ve got to know from my last cancer and they have given me their direct phone line so I can keep in touch between now and my surgery in 3 weeks. People complain about our national health service, I’ve got nothing but praise for them and my GP. They’ve been with me all the way. I’m one of the lucky ones, that’s the only way toward to cope with this new cancer . Yes I’m scared and yes I think why me again but I have to shake myself out of it because as I’ve said positive thinking is the only way I will get through it.

squealor

Grade 3 highly invasive lymphoma , exactly the same as last time but in my other breast but now I’ve got my positive head on, I can beat it once and I will again. It’s the only way I will get through it

kund reagards

Love your attitude.  I too have a family history - both my Mum and her half sister, a radiographer herself, have had the same cancer as my recent diagnosis, at the similar/same age of early to mid-50s.  We lost my Mum in 2007 after her diagnosis and radical mastectomy in 2001.  I'm hoping I'll get more than the 6 years my Mum had as I know medical science has moved on in the last 20 odd years.  I too lost my brother, but in a traffic accident 3 days after celebrating his 21st birthday.  He's been gone 30 years last December.  We lost my Dad to bowel cancer complications from surgery that actually went well, in 2019.  Grieving for them all has been hard.

I now have a 13yo son and I promised my hubby of 30 years that we'd grow to be old farts together, lol!  I'm 54 and he's about to turn 55.  We're determined that we'll both be at our son's graduation from University!  Gotta stay positive!