I got the all-clear from my digital mammo, although I will ask for a copy of the report as all I received was the standard "no signs of cancer" form letter. Still, good to hear.
Went it to meet w/the Genetic Counselor and was pleasantly surprised to find out that my risk of carrying a mutated BRCA gene is about 2%--woohoo! And, my lifetime risk to get cancer is 12% or so--same as the general population. Granted I know that no matter what no one knows for sure if/when they will get cancer, but it was nice to hear that my family most likely does not have the BRCA gene. Funny, but I can handle having cancer--I can't, on the other hand, be comfortable w/the fact that I could've passed this on to my kids. :o/ Of course the counselor told me that if any other aunts or uncles pop up w/cancer I need to let her know right away.
My question/concern is that all the women on my mom's side (where all the cancer is too) have fibrocystic breasts and menstrual issues. At least 2 of my aunts, plus my mom (and myself as well), have had hysterectomies due to heavy bleeding, cysts, fibroids, and endo. My aunt's breast cancer tumor was estrogen fueled so it does make me wonder if we are at a higher risk given all the seemingly estrogen based problems such as fibrocystic breasts and Aunt Flo craziness? Any thoughts?
~Laura~
I was away when you posted. I find all this very interesting. I have an aunt who was dx with bc. A couple of cousins and another aunt had biopsies. My daughter and I both were dx. Several uncles had melanoma, but they were WWII vets and it was felt the war could have exposed them to cancer.
My daughter who has not been dx had her annual mammogram yesterday, she goes to a breast clinic and has the reading immediately and all is well. The doctor there talked to her about joining a study for the risk of ovarian/breast cancer and she called me to ask if I know about it. It sounds like I need to discuss this with Sue at FORCE. She posted just recently as veggievet and runs the website. I may have mentioned it to you before?
It seems as though all you need to do is be vigilant and take care to do annual exams and mammograms. That's good news.
Hugs MK
My daughter who has not been dx had her annual mammogram yesterday, she goes to a breast clinic and has the reading immediately and all is well. The doctor there talked to her about joining a study for the risk of ovarian/breast cancer and she called me to ask if I know about it. It sounds like I need to discuss this with Sue at FORCE. She posted just recently as veggievet and runs the website. I may have mentioned it to you before?
It seems as though all you need to do is be vigilant and take care to do annual exams and mammograms. That's good news.
Hugs MK