Aibu to ask has anyone lost a mother to breast cancer at an early age and not been diagnosed themselves?

[catthatgotthecream]

Just that really, I'm sorry if this is abrupt but my mother was diagnosed at 37 passed away at 42 and I am 36 and terrified I will be the same..I have been offered yearly checks from 40.

My dad's had bilateral breast cancer and i also have two uncles and a cousin (also male) who had it. it's definitely genetic. I've been tested and my doctor said there was a high probability that I'd have a genetic mutation either on BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. It turns out I don't. After doing some aditional testing I was told I have the same probability of having it as every other women. Can you get tested? I

As pp said, get genetic testing. . My mother, her sister and mother all had early breast cancer . I had genetic testing as did my daughter. We haven't got the gene so we are confident about the future.

My mother died early of breast cancer. I got genetic testing, I don't have any of the markers. I was able to get mammograms beginning at 35 because of her age, but I didn't start getting them until 40. They've been clear. In fact, I had one last week, and i had the results before I got home from the appointment - all clear again! Get the testing, it's the best thing you can do.

My mother was diagnosed at 41. She had a mastectomy and some radiation therapy and was cancer free and on hormone suppressing drugs for about 17 years. The cancer came back when she was 58 and she died at 63.

So though she lived a long time after her first diagnosis, the latter happened when she was young.

My sister and I have had yearly mammograms (which on the NHS go to one every three years after 50) because of our family history, but neither of us ever did any genetic testing. (I was too scared.)

We have been told that our risk is now in line with the rest of the general population, as at currently 49 and 53, we are a long way past the age my Mum was first diagnosed.

Mum had it at 33. This was about 1974 I think? She caught it very early though and was lucky. After a mastectomy and radiation treatment (no chemo or other longer term medications) she was in remission for about 30 years before it metastasised. She died at 69. I’m post menopausal at 53 now.

My mum died in her 40's and have maternal cousins who had breast cancer in their 30's. Also paternally my grandma and aunt both had breast cancer.

I am in my mid fifties and have never had it! But I've worried all my life about it, until recently when I paid to get tested for the BRCA genes. It was negative, wish I'd tested earlier.

I've had mammograms since my 30's although because the breast tissue is more dense when you're young I don't think it's as accurate.

I completely understand your fears.

My maternal grandmother diagnosed early 30s, died at 35. Left my mum motherless at 11. My mum diagnosed at 35, died at 41.

I'm now 47, been having yearly mammograms for ages. Thus far all fine.

My sister who is 44, lives in Australia, so different healthcare system, is having a bilateral mastectomy next month. She has lobular carcinoma in situ, so surgery is preventative.

Dunno if it’s as accurate as nhs testing (don’t see why it shouldn’t be) but 23andme inc brca gene testing as part of their health package if it’s a struggle to get the nhs to agree to do it or it’s taking too long.

Thank you for everyone sharing their stories.. I was referred for testing but at the appointment I was told it's offered on a point system. So because of my mothers age her score was high but paternal grandmother was in her 70s when she passed with it so her score was low so basically I didn't qualify for the testing in the end even though they still deemed me as high risk. I guess I should look into paying for it myself.

Sorry you are going through this OP. My mother got breast cancer at 33. She died from
It at 48. Ours was genetic. I have the Brca 2 gene and have had preventative surgery. My sisters both tested negative for the gene and have the same risk as the rest of the population. Get tested so you can make some choices. Either way living the worry (which I did for years) is not living. Good luck to you x x

@catthatgotthecream

Thank you for everyone sharing their stories.. I was referred for testing but at the appointment I was told it's offered on a point system. So because of my mothers age her score was high but paternal grandmother was in her 70s when she passed with it so her score was low so basically I didn't qualify for the testing in the end even though they still deemed me as high risk. I guess I should look into paying for it myself.

I had the same issue which is why I did the 23andMe test. I haven’t got the gene and that knowledge has been a relief. If I’d had the gene I’d have asked for a mastectomy. So do think what you’d do if the result isn’t what you wanted.

My mum had it at 32 in the 1970s and is still with us. I had the genetic test several years ago and there isn't a link. I was offered yearly mammograms in my forties.

As a pp said, think carefully about what you would do if you were to get a test.