<p>Had to share the good news. Most of you are aware my mother has been battling BC during the last year. Bilateral mastectomy, chemo, taxol regimens complete with only reconstruction to go. A very good prognosis is expected. </p>
<p>Yesterday evening, she got the results of her genetic testing. We were quite worried because her niece (my cousin) has metastatic breast cancer (diagnosed in her 30s) and my mom’s parents died of prostate and ovarian cancer the combination of which has been shown to have implications for breast cancer in daughters. </p>
<p>BUT, the good news is that she is NEGATIVE for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutation! I am so relieved, not so much for myself, but for my daughter and for my sister’s daughters. :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! And good vibes and prayers to anyone dealing with BC or watching a loved one deal with it. CGM - one of my mom’s docs commented to her that breast cancer is practically epidemic these days and that doctors are confounded. </p>
<p>Genetic issues aside, one has to wonder about environmental impact on women’s health. We are a fatter nation and we eat foods full of preservatives, dyes, chemicals, etc. I know there is an issue with carrying extra weight and cancer risk. Fat cells makes estrogen and estrogen feeds certain cancers including breast cancer tumors. </p>
<p>If I can do a TMI for an example. (MEN…you have been warned about what follows!) When I was 40, I had issues with my ovaries. With my family history of ovarian cancer, it was prudent for me to have them removed. For several years after, I dealt with hot flashes, night sweats and all the usual symptoms of surgical menopause (luckily, no wayward hair growth though…lol!). I did not do HRT because of the family history of BC. Slowly but surely I added some weight. I’m not huge at all, but sad to say, I’m no longer a 5’7" size 4. As I added the weight, my hot flashes and night sweats dissipated. Why? Because fat cells makes estrogen. Estrogen relieves the symptoms. Excess estrogen is not what someone with a family history of BC wants. The gains I make from not having estrogen-producing ovaries is offset by having estrogen-producing fat cells. So…I hit the pavement and the elliptical trainer and indulge my hobby of gardening in 90 degree heat to keep my weight under control…for MUCH more important reasons than vanity. It is a lot harder than when I was 30, but I work at it.</p>
<p>Just sharing a little food for thought… and perhaps a little extra motivation to take that walk after dinner. ;)</p>
<p>I think widespread use of BC pills might also have something to do with BC rates going up. Maybe also lack of breastfeeding in certain populations.</p>
<p>jym - My mom had the testing done. There is still a possibility of one of the genetic mutations being passed from father to daughter (my father to me or my husband to our daughter), but at least one branch of the family is in the clear. (My father’s family has no history of any cancer, and my husband’s family has no breast cancer history.)</p>
<p>Breast cancer in my case was inherited it seems. I never took hormones or birth control pills, I breast feed, exercised and ate nutritious foods all in the effort to stave it off; though I gained extra pounds as I slipped into menopause, they are now gone for good. Along comes 59 and thar she blows. My mom had it at 59 and then again at 70 and she will be travelling to live with me in two weeks time. She is well for 97. I am hoping with the advances and the new pills to stave it off and to not experience it twice like my Mom. It’s no fun. But there are a whole lot of things out there that aren’t any fun either. My grandma put it bluntly, “Getting old is only for the brave.”</p>
<p>I have put off doing the genetic testing but will have to take care of that as soon as the back to school dust settles. Quite honestly, I’ve been concerned about how we would use the information if it turns out to be positive. But my daughter is now 18 and refuses to consider birth control pills to help with her extreme menstrual cramps. Informed decisions would probably be a better approach.</p>
<p>Timely post - I will make good on my promise to finally follow through with this.</p>