Carol Jackson from EastEnders has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and viewers across the country are on tenterhooks to see how she copes with the devastating news that she has inherited a faulty BRCA gene. How will she break the news to her daughters? What will it mean for their future?
Last year, Angelina Jolie bravely spoke out about her own discovery of her faulty BRCA heritage. She made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy even though she didn't have breast cancer, because the risk of her developing breast cancer later in life was so high. Her decision to tell the world her story has done a huge amount to raise awareness of the risks of this condition – but the stakes are even higher than breast cancer alone.
While in a recent study nearly 9 out of 10 women knew that having ovarian cancer in the family could increase their risk, only 1 in 4 knew there could also be a link with a family history of breast cancer. In fact, having a faulty BRCA1/2 gene can increase your risk of getting ovarian cancer over a lifetime from 1 in 54 to 1 in 2.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and one UK woman dies from it every 2 hours. Although it can be hard to diagnose, there are early warning signs and symptoms. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to raise awareness of these. Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly or loss of appetite, persistent stomach or pelvic pain, and needing to urinate more often – all need checking out if they’re persistent, or if you get them frequently over any length of time, especially on more than 12 days a month.
Some women don’t seek help early because they put their symptoms down to other conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But IBS rarely develops for the first time in anyone over 50, and it usually starts before you’re 40. New guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence means that if you have these symptoms, your GP should arrange a simple blood test called a Ca125. If this is high, you’ll be sent for a scan of your ovaries. Even if this is normal, you should still return to see your doctor if your symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Most women will get a reassuringly normal result, saving them sleepless nights. And even if the news is bad, an early diagnosis could literally save your life.
Ovarian Cancer Action is also working to raise awareness of the need to know your family history. If 2 or more women in your family have had breast and/or ovarian cancer, ask yourself: are they on the same side of the family, your mother’s or your father’s? Are they blood related? Were they under 50 when they were diagnosed?
If the answer to these 3 questions is ‘yes’, you’re eligible for screening for a faulty BRCA gene. Your GP can refer you, and you should usually get the results within 8 weeks. Of course there are consequences to being tested – a positive result means you will need to consider your options for screening and/or preventative surgery. Having a positive result means the rest of your family could be affected, too. That’s why you’ll be offered full counselling before the test, and lots of guidance if the test turns out to be positive. Scary though the prospect might be, surely the alternative is so much worse?
If you are worried that your family history may put you at risk of ovarian cancer, check out the Ovarian Cancer Action BRCA Risk Tool.
For more information please contact Ovarian Cancer Action on 020 7380 1730, or visit their website
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Guest post: Ovarian cancer – spotting the signs
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MumsnetGuestPosts · 06/03/2014 14:00
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