If you have a strong family history of Breast Cancer …

[EatenTooMuchChocolateAgain]

Would you want to have / or have you had genetic testing to test for BRCA 1 or 2 genes?

If you did have testing and you were positive for the genes have you had preventative surgery?

There is history of BC on both sides of my family, I’m having surveillance mammograms done yearly since I was 40, I’m now early 50’s.

Im very undecided whether to have genetic testing done, any thoughts on pros/cons welcomed!

100% yes I would

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to health

My adult child and I were tested for this gene because of mine and my family's history of breast cancer.

We don't have the gene, but because of our family history, adult child has had mammogram since they were 35.

my oldest friend has had breast cancer twice, as have i, but she and her daughter chose not to have the test.

I don't judge my friend for her decision, and she didn't judge me for ours.

each person has the right to choose to know for certain, or to let things take their course. I don't think either choice is right or wrong. Maybe it comes down to if you can live with the uncertainty or not. It's not,in my view, a moral choice where you can say this is right or this is wrong.

We haven’t been tested but not for the want of trying. We all have annual mammograms but my mum (the only one diagnosed who is still alive) wasn’t tested when she was diagnosed. They’ll test her if she wants, but she’s in bad health so it’s not really possible. They won’t test us before she’s got a diagnosis because one of us being positive would mean that she would also have to be positive and she isn’t seeking her own diagnosis. It’s very frustrating.

I chose not to have the test in my 30s, I don't really know why to be honest as breast cancer is so prevalent in my family. I remember thinking that I would do it at a later date and I never did.

I had breast cancer at 52. Was tested then and I have the BRCA2 mutation. I then had my ovaries removed.

Yes I would, I’d want to know for my daughters.

I have had genetic testing twice - first in my mid 20s before I had children, as part of that decision making process. Got negative results for BRCA 1&2 and some other genes. Was tested again in my late 30s when I began asking for surveillance mammograms, and they retested for some genes that had been more recently discovered. Luckily for me all of those were negative but a history of breast and ovarian cancer on my maternal line means I am now getting annual screening. I’d absolutely want to know so that I can make informed healthcare choices.

I have a family history. My husband did too. We were both tested, both negative. It’s a big relief so we don’t need to worry that the children have it

I would 100% do it. No history in my family of breast cancer but I got it at 50. Pure bad luck according to my consultant. However if I had a chance to get in before it, I would have.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 36. There was a strong family history but no first degree relatives. It turned out that me, my DF and DSis all had the BRCA2 gene. My DBro has chosen not to be tested.
DSis was refused preventative treatment due to her mental health.
I have three DCs, the youngest was a baby when I was diagnosed. DS1 is the only one over 16 now, he was actually dissuaded from being tested by the geneticist.
Ironically, he already has another, unconnected, genetic condition so would have to have IVF if he chose to have children later on.

Do you regret not having the test?