Bad News that's Good to Know

I tested postive for the BRCA2 gene. Crap! and, Good to know.

Since my mother had breast cancer, and now I have it even though neither my mother or myself had a high risk factor (we live simple, clean lives, not the risk taking sort) I qualified for the genetic testing to see if I have the gene that causes breast cancer.

Honestly, I've been trying not to, but I've been wondering how I got breast cancer. Did I do something to cause it? Did I drink too much Coke? Did I not go to the Dr. often enough? Did I use the deoderant with the harsh chemicals? Did I not eat enough vegetables? Was there pesticide sprayed on my produce? Were there hormones in my hamburger? Am I too stressed out? Did I breastfeed too long? Haven't I been getting enough sleep? Maybe it's the second hand smoke from when I was a child and had a parent who smoked? Was it because I had an underwire bra? Is it Karma or Fate? Is God punishing me? Why did I get cancer? What did I do?  Now, I can stop asking myself that question. The answer is here: I was born this way.

According to some googling that I've been doing, the discovery of the breast cancer gene was pretty recent. One scientist found it in 1974 and they studied it until 1990 before coming forth with the information. 1990 wasn't that long ago. I was married and had an active toddler in that year. I worked as a part time bank teller, and had no worries about breast cancer. None.  Lucky for me, someone else was dedicated to breast cancer research! And those efforts are very much appreciated now, even if I didn't give it a thought back then.

Currently, not everyone can be tested for the gene and have it covered by insurance. The insurance companies only pay for it if they deem it necessary. And then they may only pay a portion, it's hard to say. I told my oncologist that I wanted the test, but only if my insurance covered it. Sure hope I don't get a bill for five grand and a note saying that's my co-pay. We shall see. To qualify to be tested, I had a mother with breast cancer and I have breast cancer, and I have six women with my genes, my sisters and daughters. So, I qualified for the test. Now that I've popped up positive, my sisters and daughters should be approved for testing as well.

There are two genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2.  #1 is apparently worse news than #2. But, really, you don't want either one of them. Turns out, I have the second gene. It's bad, but at least I don't have the first one.

According to the stats that Dr. Google has been throwing my way, Brca1 has a much higher percentage of patients with recurring cancer or other cancers popping up.  Brca2 is an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer too, but not the "sure thing" that the #1 looks to be. I guess this means that I got the lesser of the two evils. Oh yay. I'll drink to that!

I have two sisters and four daughters. I am really hoping that this gene is recessive and my daughters didn't get it, but if my husband is a carrier, and we don't know that, well, that slims down their chances of escaping the gene.  I truly hope they do not have this gene! All four can be tested for it, but I am not sure when they would want to do that.  Elizabeth just turned 6 years old a couple of months ago. I honestly think she could wait a few decades. My oncologist recommends that my sisters and daughters go see their doctors and then have prophylactic mastectomies and oophorectomies - lop off their breasts and yank out their ovaries for prevention. Hopefully, by the time my daughters are in their mid-30s, there is a better prevention method than going under the knife.

This gene isn't just a breast cancer gene, it's also an ovarian cancer gene.

As for me, my oncologist wants an ultrasound peek at my overies now.  If they are messed up or showing any abnormal shape, lumps, or whatever, then he wants to yank them out now.  If they look good, then he wants to wait until I'm off the Herceptin and yank them out next summer.  Either way, he wants me to have them out. I'm not so sure about that. I have some questions about removing them and why and how much that stacks the cancer stats in my favor. The last thing I want to do is have another surgery, especially if it isn't necessary. I'll decide after I review more information about this situation and weigh my options.

That's all I really know for now.  I have this Brca 2 gene, and my sisters and daughters risk of breast and ovarian cancer just skyrocketed with this new information. To them, I'm sorry. Hope the stats are wrong!

If you find some useful information about BRCA2, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer, please post the link in the comments.