Genetic tests available for breast cancer detection

Congratulations on being so proactive in order to prevent more cancer, @syska. I'm glad that the information from your genetic testing helped you. Would you recommend genetic testing to others in the early stages of breast cancer treatment?

Yes I would especially if they are triple negative. In the last few years so many new discoveries have been found to help with the treatments.

Five years ago I was diagnosed triple negative in the left breast and ER+ in the right breast. Had genetic testing (sister had ER+ 30 years ago). Positive for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation. Had chemo (AC and taxol), bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy. Yes, went through the 5 years of arimidex with joint and bone pain. My daughter tested positive for the BRCA 1 mutation. This summer she was diagnosed with triple negative. She went through chemo and had bilateral mastectomy 3 days ago. She is only 31 and does not have children (23 eggs retrieved before treatment!). The doctors recommend hysterectomy by 37. Her cancer was caught early because of vigilant screening due to BRCA 1 results. The genetic testing is a very personal decision, but was the right choice for us.

Hi @patsydanley ,
You and your daughter have provided another great example of using genetic testing in a manner that resulted in early detection for your daughter's breast cancer and personal planning for the future.

Was genetic testing suggested by your physician or was this your own decision?

My oncologist recommended it given our family history (my grandmother had ovarian cancer 50 years before). When my sister had cancer, I began having mammograms at 35. I was diagnosed at age 60.

I am 61, I had biopsy/surgery on one breast in 2007 an the other in 2017. Both benign. However my mom had breast cancer in 2000 had lumpectomy, chemo an radiation. 3 mths later my mom’s mom, my grandma had breast cancer an had a mastectomy. One of my grandmother’s sisters an her daughter brother had breast cancer. Today on my 6 mth follow my daughter says we should do the genetic testing. So I had the blood test done. They say it takes 2-3 weeks to get results. I say what my mom went through with chemo an radiation an what our family went through. I do not want to go through what my mom did or have my family go through it. Should I be positive for any, would you or anyone recommend having the prophylactic mastectomy?

I’m 61 years old, my mother had breast 19 years ago had lumpectomy, chemo an radiation. 3 mths later my mom’s mom had breast cancer an had mastectomy. One of my grandmother’s sister an her daughter both have also had breast cancer. I had my first biopsy in 2007 an my second in 2017, both removed an negative. Have been goin every 6 mth since for mammo an ultra sound. Today when I went they decided I needed to do the genetic testing. I have a daughter an two grandaughters. As I said I’m 61, my mom was 63 I saw what she went through an how hard it was for all of us. That is not something I want to go through or have my family go through.

My question is is my test come back an I have the gene with my family history an my two previous biopsies, would you opt to have the prophylactic mastectomy while you are still in good health?

Welcome to Connect, @myredss04
You'll find members like @corinneberg @ladylawdawg @elsie37 @doyoga and @casualobserver sharing about prophylactic mastectomy and breast cancer genetics in these discussions.
- Preventative double mastectomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/preventative-double-mastectomy/
– Anyone dealing with Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-dealing-with-atypical-ductal-hyperplasia-adh/
– ATM Gene Mutation and Care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/atm-gene-mutation-and-care
– High Risk Mutation (ie. BRCA, ATM, RAD51D) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-risk-mutation-ie-brca-atm-rad51d/
– High risk, NOT from BRCA but from typia, such as ALH, ADH, LCIS https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-risk-not-from-brca-but-from-typia-such-as-alh-adh-lcis/

Which gene was discovered in your genetic testing? What is the percentage risk for you?

Please have the daughter see a genetic counselor. They will be able to give her options that insurance should cover under the NCCN guidelines with a first degree relative with a cancer. Best