For $99 you can have your genome sequenced by the company 23andMe. They no longer provide health information but you can access your complete sequence and search known alleles of disease related genes, including BRCA. They have a web page describing how to search the raw data: https://www.23andme.com/en-gb/health/i_hboc/.
Although it would be best to consult with a genetic counselor and have the more detailed sequence analysis, $99 isn’t much for peace of mind if you don’t have mutations.
@momsquad I am not anti-23andMe at all. In fact, it was my Christmas present to most of my family and partner a few years ago. However, I am uncomfortable with people without a genetics background trying to interpret their own results for something as potentially significant as a BRCA mutation. It can lead to a LOT of anxiety very quickly.
@mom22039 I got a life insurance policy when I bought my house (bundled it all together with car and all that). No genetics questions. I’m a pretty prime population for them though (young, non-smoker) so that could make a difference.
I am also Ashkenazi and my mother and maternal aunt both had breast cancer. So a few months ago I went to my gyn and asked what to do. He sent me for genetic counceling. About three months ago I spoke to the counselor and decided to have the testing done. It cost about $100 plus the copay to see a specialist. I ended up with no BRCAs. No other cancer genes. Still at a bit of an elevated risk. So the counselor and I discussed testing options. I now am supposed to test 2X annually with mamo and MRI.
The process of genetic testing is easy. I had to rinse my mouth with mouthwash and spit into a tube. That was it. The feeling that I am in control of my own life, priceless.
If you have kids, it may make sense to have the testing so you can think about how they may be impacted by the genetics as well.
Even those who aren’t Jewish by faith can have Ashkenazi blood and potentially any of the related genetic issues.
When the beloved Notre Dame coach, Ara Parseghian had 3 grandchildren Dx’d with the fatal Neimann-Pick Type C disease, genetic testing revealed that the children’s parents (Ara’s son and wife) both have Ashkenazi blood lines. This couple (as well as the entire family) have truly lived a horrific tragedy watching 3 of their 4 children die from this. None of us can imagine watching 3 of our children die.
their story is here http://youtu.be/KGAKJuKVS-4
Everybody has BRCAs.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are very useful genes, coding for helpful gene products. It’s various mutations to the genes that can be detrimental.
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My husband is of Ashkenazi descent. As a result, he and all three of our kids have Factor XI Deficiency, a bleeding disorder. I have also read that people in this group have a higher chance of getting schizophrenia, which my son has. I kind of wish I’d known this before we had kids. I didn’t know about the BRCA mutation being more common in this group. I will have to tell my daughter, I guess.
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My FIL (Ashkenazi Jewish) had hemophilia and was exempted from WWII because of it. He felt horrible about not being able to serve and was very hush/hush about the whole thing. My MIL only told us after he died. It’s kind of sad when families try to keep these important pieces of information a secret.
We’ve always been somewhat concerned in my own family because my maiden name is the name of a blood disorder (charming…as if it wasn’t odd enough!) Of course, every new doctor we met always thought the he/she was the first to tell us. lol
Plenty of people in WWII contributed to the war effort without being in the military. Think of production of supplies for both the military and the civilian economy, and the transportation, financial, and other services involved.