<p>How old are you? The braca gene seems to be the most virulent in premenopausal women. </p>
<p>Not knowing? About any medical issues or only possible breast cancer?</p>
<p>BRCA testing is an interesting process. I got mixed signals from different doctors over the years. Some of the possible indicators for considering testing are 2 or more close relatives being diagnosed, especially if diagnosis is showing up premenopause. Multi generational diagnosis is a flag. Ovarian cancers are also a consideration. I’m pretty sure genetic counseling is required before the actual testing can take place. And a person has to consider how the information will be used; how it might impact other family members, especially if the results are positive.</p>
<p>And finally, the testing is usually done on someone who has been diagnosed. That person is the starting point.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. Very helpful.</p>
<p>That is interesting about testing after diagnosis. One my kid’s friends is a young woman who’s mother died of breast cancer at age 32. (They live in Manhatten. I only add this because of the availability of medical care.) The young woman, at age 23 hast been tested for the braca gene so that she will know how to proceed with her life. </p>
<p>While both her grandmothers did not have breast cancer and there were no aunts age contemporary with her mother, she was tested. The outcome is positive for the gene. And while she is totally healthy now the plans are to get pregnant prior to age 32 and then to have a hysterectomy/mastectomy (with reconstruction) in her early 30s. She is being monitored on a yearly basis. PLEASE NOTE: Her mother died at 32, diagnosed at 28. Obviously, with medical advances this could change how they are going to proceed. Perhaps by the time she is thirty this will be a moot point because a cure and/or gene therapy could preclude any necessity for all of this. But at least they have a plan.</p>
<p>“Who is “they”? We’re all at risk.”</p>
<p>They are MDs. We are all at risk for every possible cancer and all other deseases there. There is not way in a world you can test for everything that can possibly happen to you. And, consider the fact that you might develop cancer few weeks after the test, then what? We all going to die from something, death is in a cycle of life, it is unavoidable.</p>
<p>Indeed, we will all die of something, but personally, I’d rather it was later than sooner. And no, you can’t test for everything, but if by being screened (and not just mammograms - do you feel the same way about colonoscopies?) one can detect a cancer early, there is a much greater chance of curing it.</p>
<p>No colonoscopy for me, this one is even dangerous. They say a lot of very limited cancers diappear all by themselves, we do have immune system, people with weak one are at much higher risk. They also say that by STATISTICs, all these tests are NOT making you live longer, but opposite might occur. However, there are people with higher risks with genetic inclinations and compromised immune system, and they definately need to consider testing. The rest of us will die of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, car accident, infection, falling sky, alcohol poisonning and so forth.</p>
<p>Contrary to popular belief and assurances by the U.S. media and the cancer establishment–the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and American Cancer Society (ACS)–mammography is not a technique for early diagnosis. In fact, a breast cancer has usually been present for about eight years before it can finally be detected. Furthermore, screening should be recognized as damage control, rather than misleadingly as «secondary prevention.
DANGERS OF SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY
Mammography poses a wide range of risks of which women worldwide still remain uninformed.
Radiation Risks
Radiation from routine mammography poses significant cumulative risks of initiating and promoting breast cancer (1-3). Contrary to conventional assurances that radiation exposure from mammography is trivial–and similar to that from a chest X-ray or spending one week in Denver, about 1/1,000 of a rad (radiation-absorbed dose)–the routine practice of taking four films for each breast results in some 1,000-fold greater exposure, 1 rad, focused on each breast rather than the entire chest (2). Thus, premenopausal women undergoing annual screening over a ten-year period are exposed to a total of about 10 rads for each breast. As emphasized some three decades ago, the premenopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each rad of exposure increasing breast cancer risk by 1 percent, resulting in a cumulative 10 percent increased risk over ten years of premenopausal screening, usually from ages 40 to 50 (4); risks are even greater for «baseline» screening at younger ages, for which there is no evidence of any future relevance. Furthermore, breast cancer risks from mammography are up to fourfold higher for the 1 to 2 percent of women who are silent carriers of the A-T (ataxia-telangiectasia) gene and thus highly sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of radiation (5); by some estimates this accounts for up to 20 percent of all breast cancers annually in the United States (6).
Cancer Risks from Breast Compression
As early as 1928, physicians were warned to handle «cancerous breasts with care–for fear of accidentally disseminating cells» and spreading cancer (7). Nevertheless, mammography entails tight and often painful compression of the breast, particularly in premenopausal women. This may lead to distant and lethal spread of malignant cells by rupturing small blood vessels in or around small, as yet undetected breast cancers (8).</p>
<p>Whatever rocks your boat.</p>
<p>Thanks booklady. I had my ultrasound today and there is something there and the radiologist thinks it’s cancer. It’s very, very small. I’m glad I go every year because it wasn’t visible last year. My ultrasound appt. was for 8:30 and I had an ultrasound needle biopsy at 10. Wonderful care. It turns out that the hospital I’ve been having mammograms done at for years just constructed a new complete breast care center. Who knew? The staff of women were so great and didn’t mind my tears. I guess they get used to that. The radiologist did the biopsy and she talked to me and my husband right away. Now that some of the shock is past I’m thinking straighter. At the time all I could think of was that my daughter is getting married next June and I want hair. They said that was a perfectly natural thought. If it’s cancer, and I’ll find out Monday, hopefully since it was caught so early the treatment won’t be so bad. I’m worried about that. I live in Denver and don’t worry too much about radiation since my H is a radiation safety officer. By the way, I’ve had a colonoscopy and plan to have another at 10 years. I’m thankful for all the technology and the lives it’s saving.</p>
<p>I know that this sounds absurd, but try and relax. What is…is. You feel that you are in capable hands. Whatever it is, it is small and at the beginning. Don’t jump the gun on treatment. Plan for the best. Buy the most beautiful dress to wear at your daughter’s wedding…and then envision the dress that you will wear to your YOUNGEST grandchild’s wedding.</p>
<p>My mom had something the docs were sure was cancer and it was benign,Sometimes they are right sometimes not. Its very hard to wait for results.
I had genetic testing, for my kids, neg result, and I did have genetic counseling first, I thought it was better for me, as I already had the diagnosis, than to possibly cause issues for my kids. It also helped my sister.
Best wishes to you sixties, hoping for negative results. glad you found a place you have confidence in.
listen to these lovely ladies they give great advice.
IMO if there is screening for early diagnosis one should take advantage , it saves lives. Can’t count on your immune system to clean up every cancer. Seems like heavy denial. My cousin willl not get a mammo despite having history on both sides , no insurance, thinks she is too heavy. I worry about her.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind thoughts. I cried all the way while I was driving home and off and on for 1 1/2 hrs at home. Just couldn’t seem to stop. I do feel now that all those years of mammos finally paid off. That’s what they said at the breast center. It’s why they want women to have them, to find something before it’s big enough to be felt. Life goes on. Daughter has decided on a site for their wedding which she wants to have outdoors. I told her there had to be a backup because you never know about Colorado weather! It will be elegant but not so very expensive. H nearly swallowed his tongue when he initially heard the price for the average wedding now. We told him not to worry, this will be way less. We’re paying part of it and she and her fiance are paying some. She’s still in college and works almost full time. We’ll have a nice Father’s Day and Monday pm I’ll find out. I volunteer at a hospice on Mon and Tues ams so have something to keep me busy.</p>
<p>Thanks downtoearth. The staff was amazing. So kind and considerate to me and my H. It’s just such a shock to your system. I am so tired today and all I did yesterday was swiffer floors and water plants (and cry). I woke up during the night and my first thought was I wish I could get a free neck massage at Whole Foods. My first thoughts are so strange. It’s kind of like the way I talk to God, try to be polite but sometimes it’s like, ok now, what’s the plan here? I’ve experience a lot of life and got through it so I’ll get through this too and maybe learn a few new things.</p>
<p>The waiting IS excruciating. But at this point, worry and tears will not impact anything. Easier said than done, but that’s the way it is. You can’t do a thing until you know for sure you have “a little problem”. There is really no reason to jump ahead of yourself.</p>
<p>BREATHE. Deeply. Do it again.</p>
<p>Sending you good thoughts and will hope for the best come Monday.</p>
<p>Are you sleeping? When I was waiting for results (negative) I could not sleep. It’s worth taking something to help you sleep if you need it.</p>
<p>Crying is good too, it is release of pent up emotion. Just be good to yourself. Get support in the way that makes you feel good. exersize helps too. Remember you could just as easily not have cancer. Do not lose hope. Here’s praying for a negative cancer result on monday!!</p>
<p>sixties - as you said, whatever it is, is very, very small, and it wasn’t visible last year. If the news is bad, which hopefully it will NOT be, then try to take comfort in knowing that it’s tiny and caught early, which is why we all go through these tests. Hang in there. Prayers and best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your kindness. I was ok Sat but today I’ve got myself dead and buried. I think it’s the waiting. Also, I was a nurse for many years so my mind just goes there. I’m prepared for a cancer diagnosis and if it is I just want to get this show on the road. Thankfully I’m cooking a Father’s Day dinner today to be eaten on the front porch, beautiful sunny day. We’re having Korean chicken wings, noodles and watermelon. For dessert-chocolate, caramel, toffee ice cream pie. The pie is for H and the wings and noodles for my daughter who’s Korean. Should keep everybody happy. H and youngest son went to a pro lax game last night, my gift.</p>
<p>I’ve gone there. Every three months I go to the dead and buried place. Everytime I do go to that dark place I tell myself, “Today is today. I am not dying today. So let’s make the best of this day. Tomorrow will take care of itself…and, as we hear in the news…tomorrow is not a guarantee no matter what the cause of concern.” Then I go and add something to my bucket list. </p>
<p>(And I love your menu for today.)</p>