Genetic testing

Hi there. I was also tested for the 7 common genetic genes after my mastectomies.

The results only took about 6 weeks to come back, and luckily there was no link, so my cancer is classed as sporadic even though my Mum had DCIS. Due to the type of cancer I had (both IDC and ILC and some node involvement) my sister, daughter and any subsequent female granddaughters are all now eligible for screening from 39 rather than 50 which I'm pleased about.

Good luck x

Hi Carol G , sorry you’ve got the anxiety about genetics testing on top of breast cancer treatments. I had the tests a few years ago, at my request, due to family history (mum and her aunt - breast cancer; dad - prostate cancer, all hormone positive like my breast cancer). I’d initially been told it wouldn’t be hereditary because it was hormone positive, I think because triple negative bc is associated more with BRCA. But thankfully at one of my annual follow ups the surgeon agreed to refer me and it turned out I do have a faulty gene but not BRCA. My gene mutation is ATM, and my particular version carries a moderate risk for bc, rather than high. Taking into account other factors, including my age (59 at diagnosis, now 65), no preventative surgery was deemed appropriate. 
The testing of course carries the added anxiety of waiting for results and appointments (the whole process took 8 months in my case). But I would rather know. I think results times have speeded up a bit now - I had to wait 12 weeks. Love and hugs, HFxx

Thank you for replying, yes I'm happy my daughters can have the screening too.

Thanks for replying, I would rather know too, forewarned etc. My cancer was hormone positive too.  I've cried a lot, it's hard to keep strong all the time. Love and hugs sent back xx

Hi

Im in the process of having the test too. 
On my fathers side, I have several cousins recently that I found out have the BRCA gene, also another has Ovarian cancer and I lost my mum to Pancreatic cancer - which can also be a faulty gene I believe.

Ive had all my surgery and chemo and start Radiotherapy and Tamoxifen next week.

i think Im more worried about passing any faulty genes onto my children.

I had a phone consult with the genetics team at St Thomas’s and there was such a lot of info to take in.

The lady was lovely and will also send it all through the post so I can read it and hopefully take it all in x

Its all so scary when we’re going/been through so much already xxx