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General health

Breast cancer can be inherited paternally can't it?

11 replies

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 19/10/2012 20:55

My mum died from breast cancer six years ago. My lovely mother-in-law died from it last month. I have two little girls. I would like to be tested for the gene and I'm wondering if dh ought to be tested too. I would like to know if my dd's stand any definite chance of getting it.

What a bastard of a disease.

Sad

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 19/10/2012 22:08

It's been playing on my mind since a friend of DMil's sent me some literature about families with the inherited gene. If both grandmothers had it my dd's might stand a high chance of getting it too.

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Mintyy · 19/10/2012 22:10

Yes indeed, a terrible bastard of a disease. Goes without saying.

How old are you, op?

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 23/10/2012 22:29

I'm 36 and my dh is 37. My dd's are 6 and 3.

I'm not old enough for regular mammograms but I am only three years younger than my mum was when she was diagnosed.

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uoYekorByMredluomS · 23/10/2012 22:35

I am at the age now when my dm had breast cancer (under 40). It annoys me that they don't offer genetic testing.

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bugsylugs · 23/10/2012 22:41

ilove and yekor if in uk you can have an assessment of your risk and if deemed to be higher you get earlier mammograms, you can only be tested for a gene if they know what gene your relative had. In the midlands people are referred to birminghams genetic

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 23/10/2012 23:26

you can only be tested for a gene if they know what gene your relative had

Is that right?!!

So if I have no idea what genes my dm and dmil had, as they are both dead now, there's nothing I can do to determine my own risk and that of my children?

Shit.

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invicta · 24/10/2012 00:44

There are only two known breast cancer genes - Brcac 1 and 2. Others may yet to be identified. Testing involves having a blood test.

If you are worried, intact your local gp. He may refer you to your local breast cancer unit. You will be aked to fill in forms regarding your family cancer history ( including grandparents etc), who will assess your risk. If high, then you may be referred for genetic testing.

However, the results are purely statistics. My twin sister got bc a year ago. My cancer family history showed that I had an average risk of bc. Six months later I was diagnosed.

The good news is that NHS bc care in the uk issuperb, and in mst cases is curable.

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invicta · 24/10/2012 00:45

My genetics testing is done independently of my sister, so I don't think need to test relatives. You either having the bc gene, or you don't.

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invicta · 24/10/2012 00:47

My first post was meant to read, 'contact', not ' intact'.

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 24/10/2012 08:53

I know the survival rates for breast cancer are better than ever now.

Sadly it usually comes back somewhere else and it's the secondaries that get you. Sad

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CitizenOscar · 24/10/2012 16:15

There is some info about breast cancer in families here www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/breast-awareness/am-i-risk/breast-cancer-families - hope that helps

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