Breast cancer
posted by LindyLu
29 July 2011

And then there were four!

Last reply: 02 August 2011 20:46

Just wondering whether many of ye lovely ladies have a family history of BC with a negative BrCa diagnosis ???

Here our our family stats. Interestingly they all run down the paternal line if that is the correct word for father.
1 - My aunt, my dads youngest sister diagnosed aged 45 about 8 years ago now. Mast, chemo, rads, tamoxifen - she is doing well today.
2 - me, diagnosed at 39 two and a half years ago. Mast, chemo, rads and now a clinical trial instead of tamoxifen
3 - my first cousin, so my dads brother's daughter, diagnosed about a year ago aged 41. Mast, chemo, tamoxifen
4 - my aunt, another sister, diagnosed last week aged 70.

My cousin and I have both had negative BrCa results but holy God, this has to be too many in one family. I should add my dad is one of nine. All are still alive and range from about 75 to 55.

Any thoughts???

1 comment

Comments

commented by FH2
02 August 2011

02 August 2011 20:46

Hi Linda,

There are other genetic mutations (such as Lynch syndrome or HNPCC) that are associated mostly with other cancers but can also carry a higher than normal risk of BC. I don't know if they test for these (or just the 2 BrCa's) when they do genetic testing here in Ireland.

But I think that, as you said before yourself, there MUST be other genes not yet discovered that lead to a high level of cancer in families. Do you ask because you are considering preventative surgery? Just because you are not BrCa+ should not mean your surgeon will refuse to discuss doing this for you. Or if you are concerned for the rest of family - they should be entitled to yearly screening because of the family history.

Hugs,
Flo.

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