Genetic cancer testing

[Thedarksideofthemoon30]

I have a strange feeling that I’m going to have some sort of cancer in the future. I have no idea why.

My mum died of stomach cancer 11 years ago but when she had me she had a hysterectomy 6 months later because she wouldn’t stop bleeding. They found cancer when they removed it.

My auntie also had breast cancer.

I would love to have the gene test but obviously I have no living relative who has cancer. Can you have it done without one?

Iv already had hpv cells removed from my cervix 5 years ago.

If your direct relative is untested, you should ask your GP to refer you to local clinical genetics service.

Sadly, they're dead now but no evidence of having cancer (died in their 70s). I have asked my GP before but was dismissed as low/no risk (which, tbf, I am on the face if it).

My mother and grandmother died of breast cancer but I couldn't initially have the BRCA test as there was no living relative to find the gene to test for. Since then a distant cousin and their mother have tested positive for the gene and they tested me in case the gene passed from my grandfather (who died from pancreatic cancer) to my mother instead.
I tested negative for that gene but since we don't know if the gene passed from my maternal grandmother to my mother, my sisters and I have early annual family history mammograms and if any of us develop cancer we will all be tested. This was all done by the NHS.

Buttercupcup. My df died of stomach cancer. Please could you tell me which clinics do private testing ? Thanks .

@SwedishEdith

If your direct relative is untested, you should ask your GP to refer you to local clinical genetics service.

Sadly, they're dead now but no evidence of having cancer (died in their 70s). I have asked my GP before but was dismissed as low/no risk (which, tbf, I am on the face if it).

If your relative was never tested, you may still be able to access NHS testing if there is a known BRCA gene change in the family. Google your local clinical genetics clinic and give them a ring. If appropriate they will encourage your GP to refer you.

I saw the clinical genetics testing team for breast cancer about 8 years ago as we have strong family history of breast cancer (every female in the older three generations) and my father had prostate cancer and both my grandfathers had stomach cancer. The GP was really happy to refer me for that profile. However the genetic team wanted to see my mother to do the test as she survived breast cancer so they thought that she was the better person to test. Probably different where you don’t have a surviving, affected relative though.

Also the genetic tests were negative, despite such a high instance of cancer but I have been enrolled for early mammograms from 40 and my lifetime risk of breast cancer was assessed at about 28%, surprisingly low given the population rate is something like 17% (from memory). So worth doing.

@Springsoonplease was your DF particularly young (under 40) when diagnosed with stomach and is there a strong family history of young family members whetting stomach ca? If not they wouldn’t usually recommend going down that route as they are very unlikely to test as your risk against that of the population is not really altered.