BRCA gene testing

Hi mariasusan68

The criteria for being referred for the BRCA test is fairly precise and has nothing to do with age.

There needs to be either another close family member testing positive for BRCA1 / BRCA2 or a close relative either alive (or not) diagnosed with either Female Breast, Ovarian cancer, and Males with Breast or Prostate cancer. Pancreatic cancer may be added to the list at some time in the future.

So the women you mention who have no cancer history may have had relatives who have been classed as brca1/2 so they get tested to see if they also carry the gene. These have to be 'close' relatives like parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles or older children.

Leukeamia (isn't as far as they yet know) linked in with brca 1 or brca 2 - Dare I ask what cancer type claimed your sister ?

The closeness of family members and type of cancer is scored in if the score is above their threshold you are asked about testing.

Pleased to read you seem to be dealing with the chemo well, don't forget if you have any questions regarding chemo ? There is a monthly chemo chat in the main breast group that is very active.

Hope this is of some help and you and your son are coping ok with this rubbish disease.

Take care, G n' J