To want to be tested ?

[DrewBarryless]

Back story is my aunt (I never knew her as she was a lot older than my mum) and my mum died in her early 60s from breast cancer. My dad died a few years later. When my mum was going through treatment, I was living at the opposite end of the country with my family . I obviously went to see her as often as I could. My dad and I were close but neither of us could talk about it which I regret hugely now as he’s not here . It’s going on for 20 years since she died and my two girls are both coming up to their teens. Someone mentioned to me recently that I should get tested to see if I carry the gene ... I know one type of breast cancer is obviously gene linked but one isn’t . I am guessing my mum’s probably was gene linked if her sister also had it. My question is though: Am I being unreasonable to get tested anyway? I worry about what I would do with the information. What would I say to my girls? Is it best that I find out which type of breadt cancer she had first? And if so, how would I do that? It was 20 years ago - would hospitals still have records this far back? This is something my dad and I never discussed which I bitterly regret and I don’t really have any family around to ask anymore. I think I am beginning to panic now my girls are getting older and I just don’t know what to do for the best.

Firstly I am so sorry for your loss, I would speak to your doctor about it.

Someone else may have personal experience/ better advice but I think you are right to want to know what the best actions are, based on what you know... with two family members having this clearly you are at a higher risk.

Fingers crossed your. Doctor can help x

Breast cancer is very common and you may not be at increased risk at all but can understand why you're worried.
There's a public info section on the NICE website which is quite helpful, I've linked to the page about referral for testing but there's lots of other good info on there too www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg164/ifp/chapter/First-steps-finding-out-about-your-family-history

I lost my mum and my maternal grandmother to breast cancer. I have had mammograms annually since 35 years old and spoken to some excellent breast cancer surgeons about my options. One of them asked me "what would you do if you found out you had the gene?" I responded that I would probably just carry on with screening, so really there is no point in knowing as the knowledge wouldn't change my course of action. Unless you think you'll go for a mastectomy to prevent breast cancer, what would be the point of knowing? I think knowing you have the gene and not having a mastectomy would be too stressful.

Get yearly screenings, live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy your family. There are no guarantees for any of us. You will waste so much of your life if you choose to obsess about it.

Thanks so much for your kind responses. I think that’s a good point - what would I do if I found I had the gene. To be honest, I’m thinking of it more because of my daughters. Should they know at a later point? So much to think about. Really do appreciate the comments though and I will have a look at that website.