Brca gene

[Scoobywho24]

Forgive me posting with no diagnosis of cancer,. I feel silly as I am so so thankful for my health and heart goes out to anyone going through it.

I’m wondering if anyone can help me. I recently found out that my paternal grandmother died from breast cancer, her daughter, my paternal aunt also had it and died from it. I only knew it was common on my mums side so finding it is on both sides has concerned me.
My maternal aunt has recently just had a double mastectomy due to cancer of the breast ( it was an aggressive form, unsure of term). I know that cervical cancer is not part of the risk of having the brca mutation, but my mother had cervical cancer and needed a full hysterectomy. Her cousin recently died from it. I few great aunts on my maternal side also had breast cancer.

all 4 of my grandparents died from cancer. I’m guessing it narrows odds for me to get it too but I’m just wondering what the process of being tested is or how close it needs to be for it to be funded.

Thanks

Go and see your doctor and ask for a test. If you have enough of a family history they will do it.

My MIL was tested after several family members were diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately they found that she does have the BRCA 2 gene. Far better to know and have the option of preventative measures though.

Hope it’s all ok for you.

Yes, see your GP and ask to be referred to Clinical Genetics.

Make an app with your GP to discuss your concerns.
Cervical cancer is now known to be almost always (95%) the result of having the genital wart virus at some point. In fact they no longer do cytology but test for virus and follow up with cytology if you have positive result.
Breast cancer is associated with ovarian and colon cancer.
If your GP is concerned they will refer you to a genetic clinic. You are sent a form to fill in and they look at your risk.
My DSis had breast cancer at 33 and we were assessed but apart from a great aunt who had breast cancer we were not seen as at risk. DSis was tested for the BRCA gene but was not a carrier.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 57 but after further risk assessment and with DSis negative BRCA i didn’t need testing.
The risk of having breast cancer without the gene is 1 in 6 (16%) whereas the incidence of being a BRCA gene carrier is less than 2%. So you are at a much higher risk of getting breast cancer just being a woman than you are of having the gene. Although with the gene your risk goes up to 30%.
Unfortunately my poor DSis has just been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her early breast cancer, having no children and late menopause has probably increased her risk. We are all devastated, she was running six weeks ago and is now in palliative care. Her rapid weight loss has been the only symptom.
Like you I am considering further screening, it’s very unlikely we carry the BRCA genes but there are other genes. We may even have our own bespoke mutation which is a bit worrying going forward for other members of the family.
However we just may have bad luck.
1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives so the risk is high for everyone. Just because you have several members in a family who have had cancer doesn’t necessarily mean its hereditary.

I had issues on my maternal line but not my mother. I had cousins my generation who had breast cancer too and I was referred for genetic testing and it was positive for the gene. I therefore have had annual mammograms as a result since I was 38.