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BRCA1 positive male

Posted by skreamer @skreamer, Sep 27, 2022

My husband is positive for BRCA1 and we have not found many resources for active prevention of future cancers. Breast exams and possible ultrasounds, PSA monitoring, some talk about endoscopic ultrasound but no real data it seems. Are there clinical trials for men with BRCA1 or more active recommendations than "watch and wait?"

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 28, 2022

Hello @skreamer and welcome to Mayo Connect. I agree that the "watch and wait" approach is a difficult road to walk.

Since your husband had a genetic test that showed that he is for positive for BRCA1, I'm thinking that perhaps he was having symptoms of a problem or there is a family history of a disorder that he was concerned about? Has he had other cancer diagnoses?

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 28, 2022

Good morning. I'm sorry that your husband has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Have you begun treatments yet? My piece of advice to help prevent a recurrence is to do what your doctor advises and live the best life that he can. Breast cancer doesn't mean a death sentence. One of my oldest friends had very dire breast cancer and is very alive after over 20 years. Maybe more.

Unfortunately, cancers have a mind of their own. Eat cleanly, exercise, reduce stress (I know that it will be tough right now), sleep 7-9 hours a day, and live his life to the fullest. During treatment, he might need to nap a lot. Although my cancer is lung cancer I found that drinking a lot of water really helped in many ways.

The most important thing right now is to get rid of what he has. to listen to his doctors, and if he doesn't like his options discuss it openly with his doctor and be completely honest.

Can you tell me when his treatments begin?

REPLY
1 reply
skreamer | @skreamer | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @skreamer and welcome to Mayo Connect. I agree that the "watch and wait" approach is..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @skreamer and welcome to Mayo Connect. I agree that the "watch and wait" approach is a difficult road to walk.

Since your husband had a genetic test that showed that he is for positive for BRCA1, I'm thinking that perhaps he was having symptoms of a problem or there is a family history of a disorder that he was concerned about? Has he had other cancer diagnoses?

Jump to this post

He himself does not have breast cancer. His mother was positive for BRCA1 and so he was tested as well. We have the standard recommendations for prevention in men, but they seem quite bare bones (I am also a family physician so have some medical context for reading about this). I have not had much luck locating people who are doing active research or trials on more active surveillance/prevention for this group.

REPLY
skreamer | @skreamer | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning. I'm sorry that your husband has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Have you begun..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning. I'm sorry that your husband has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Have you begun treatments yet? My piece of advice to help prevent a recurrence is to do what your doctor advises and live the best life that he can. Breast cancer doesn't mean a death sentence. One of my oldest friends had very dire breast cancer and is very alive after over 20 years. Maybe more.

Unfortunately, cancers have a mind of their own. Eat cleanly, exercise, reduce stress (I know that it will be tough right now), sleep 7-9 hours a day, and live his life to the fullest. During treatment, he might need to nap a lot. Although my cancer is lung cancer I found that drinking a lot of water really helped in many ways.

The most important thing right now is to get rid of what he has. to listen to his doctors, and if he doesn't like his options discuss it openly with his doctor and be completely honest.

Can you tell me when his treatments begin?

Jump to this post

I left this comment above as well, but he himself does not have breast cancer. His mother was positive for BRCA1 and so he was tested as well. We have the standard recommendations for prevention in men, but they seem quite bare bones (I am also a family physician so have some medical context for reading about this). I have not had much luck locating people who are doing active research or trials on more active surveillance/prevention for this group.

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @skreamer "I left this comment above as well, but he himself does not have breast cancer. His..." + (show)
@skreamer

I left this comment above as well, but he himself does not have breast cancer. His mother was positive for BRCA1 and so he was tested as well. We have the standard recommendations for prevention in men, but they seem quite bare bones (I am also a family physician so have some medical context for reading about this). I have not had much luck locating people who are doing active research or trials on more active surveillance/prevention for this group.

Jump to this post

I agree that research in this area is sadly lacking. Perhaps you can be the impetus behind new research to prevent breast cancer. everyone woman in the world will love you without hesitation!

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