<p>Does anyone know much about the testing for these mutations? I have a first cousin (her Dad and my Mom are Brother/sister) who had breast cancer a few years back at 36. Our Aunt, my Mom’s sister had Ovarian Cancer around age 60. My first cousin has tested positive for BRCA-2 and the specialist said it comes from this family line. The specialist also felt all first cousins on this side should be tested if they felt they would adjust their future cancer screenings based on the information. I don’t mind knowing, I am just unsure if the cost/benefit of the test is a good “bet” based on family history. So if anyone has any experience or history with this I would appreciate and feedback</p>
<p>my maternal cousin had breast cancer at 50, and a paternal aunt at 75, and my gynecologist recently mentioned I might want to do the testing. I’ve been considering it and during my annual mammogram last week discussed with the technician what one would do differently if one tested positive. She indicated, in her opinion, if you are doing annual mammograms, and seeing your gynecologist annually there isn’t much one could do differently.</p>
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<p>My wife’s onc is of the same opinion. Thus, he does not recommend the test. (He adds that there is no guarantee that that the results won’t some day be used in a negative way.)</p>
<p>A friend of mine’s sister died of breast cancer, and her mother died of another cancer. When my friend was diagnosed with BC, she elected to have a double masectomy and a complete hysterectomy (incl. ovaries). (Can’t remember her BRCA status, but I think it was involved; in fact, it probably has to be for a doctor to do the additional surgeries.)</p>
<p>Lots of information here:</p>
<p>[BRCA1</a> & BRCA2: Cancer Risk & Genetic Testing - National Cancer Institute](<a href=“http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA]BRCA1”>http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA)</p>
<p>As to whether it is worth getting tested, ask yourself whether you would change your medical care decisions if you knew. For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>Would you change your screening schedule if you knew one way or the other? (e.g. more frequent screenings starting earlier if you had BRCA1 or BRCA2, less frequent screenings starting later otherwise)</li>
<li>Would you take other action based on what you knew? (e.g. prophylactic surgical removal of the at-risk breast and/or ovary tissue if you had BRCA1 or BRCA2)</li>
</ul>
<p>A friend’s mother died of breast cancer at a relatively young age (don’t remember exactly). My friend herself had Stage 4 ovarian cancer about seven years ago and, amazingly, is doing very well. She was recently tested and discovered to have the gene. She plans to have a double mastectomy as a preventive measure. The docs said her chances of developing breast cancer are extremely high.</p>
<p>She will also have her 15-year-old daughter tested. She’s been advised that if the daughter has it, five years on birth control pills will significantly reduce her chances of developing one of these cancers.</p>
<p>I had the testing a few years ago and received the very good news that I did not inherit my mother’s BRCA-1 mutation (she has survived ovarian cancer, 2 breast cancers and colon cancer). My advice is to meet with a genetic counselor who will be able to give you very detailed information about your family’s particular situation and will be able to explain the ramifications of each possible result. I did not get the test until I was comfortable with having the surgery that would be recommended should I also carry the mutation. </p>
<p>The actual test is easier and less expensive when you are testing for an already identified mutation in a relative. I believe my test was about $700 which I opted to pay for myself so I could be in complete control of the results. I was concerned that if I tested positive the results could be used against me in the future. The genetic counselor handled the entire process in such a way that only she and I would ever have access to the results.</p>
<p>Just today my sister and I had a meeting with a genetic counsellor as my sister has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. If her testing for brca-1 and brca-2 show she carries the gene with the mutation, I have a 50% chance of carrying it. If I am tested and find I am carrying it, having a hysterectomy would reduce my chance of getting ovarian cancer by 90%. I wish my sister and I had known about this even 6 months ago. I was told that Myriad Genetics in the U.S is the only company that does commercial testing and it would cost me approx $350.00. There is a much more indepth explanation for testing but this was the important thing I got out of it today.</p>
<p>I had the BRCA done in June and it came back negative (my maternal mother had breast cancer before age 45, my mother died of ovarian last year). I was just diagnosed with breast cancer and had my mastectomy last Thursday. While I was going through all of the testing, my breast surgeon’s genetic counselor suggested I should have the BART testing. It tests further than the BRCA: it is Large Rearrangement Testing. It doesn’t just tell you if about your own risk of breast cancer, there are other cancers for which you can be at higher risk. AND the big reason for me was that if I were BART positive, I would then have my three children tested. Not only my daughter, but my sons could be at higher risk for breast, prostate, esophageal and even melanoma. If they were aware of that, then they could act quickly if any symptoms arose or be proactive. Thank G-d, I am BART negative. So the risk isn’t just for yourself, it can be for your children, too. By the way, they just had a special on the 23 and Me genetic testing, and my kids each bought one for $49 each.</p>