My Aunt (Dad's sister) died of breast cancer and had the breast cancer gene should I start mammograms earlier or get tested for the breast cancer gene?
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You need to learn breast self exam if you don't already. You need to get a baseline mammogram, even if you are young. It costs between 3-4 thousand dollars to genetically test for the breast cancer gene. If you had the gene, would you be prepared to deal with making drastic changes, like having your breasts removed to prevent cancer? The pros's think it is better to know, so as to avoid getting cancer. Even if you have the gene, it isn't 100% that you will get cancer. The choice is yours to make, it is a personal decision and a financial one. If you are tested and have the gene you may be denied life insurance or other things. Best of Luck--I have been through this myself. You may be interested to know there is a greater link to breast cancer from your fathers side (generally not personally) than your mothers.
2 :
If your aunt's breast cancer was definitely due to one of the two faulty genes known to be responsible for hereditary breast cancer (only 5 - 10% of breast cancer cases are), then it would make more sense to establish whether your father carries that gene. Like his sister, he will have had a 50% chance of inheriting it from whichever of their parents carried it. If he did inherit it, then you have a 50% chance of having inherited it from him. If he didn't inherit it, nor will you have. Talk to your dad and to your doctor about this issue. This link may help you find the information you're looking for: http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/genetic/testing
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