Her2 and BRCA

Brenda_D · 07-15-2009, 04:50 PM

When I asked my onc about BRCA testing he told me the kind of cancer I have is not hereditary. I assumed he meant her2 positive.
I have 2 sisters and when they go for mammos they list me as a first degree relative with BC.
Now both sisters are having to have breast MRI's because of family history.
So have any of you been told anything about BRCA in relation to her2+ BC?

I'm stumped as to why my onc would say one thing and my sister's doctors would insist on costly MRI's due to family history. It doesn't mesh.

07-15-2009, 05:06 PM

I was 46 years old and pre-meno when I was dx with Stage 1 bc. I was ER-PR- and Her2+++, my mother had bc with mets and died at age 65. My grandmother (maternal) had bc when she was in her sixty's. I had just found out recently that my maternal grandfather had died from bc. (secret in the family).
I was tested and am positive for BRCA1.
My 1/2 sister (same mother) tested negative.
So basically it doesn't matter about the HER status but I was told young women (pre-meno) is to be considered as having the gene.
Prior to my genetic testing my onc was treating me as I was BRCA positive. I have yearly mamos and yearly MRIs.
Hope this helps.
There is also a web site called the Force which has a lot of info regarding genetics and testing.
Good Luck

Becky · 07-15-2009, 05:12 PM

Although it happens, it is rare for Her2+ women to be BRCA positive.

caya · 07-15-2009, 05:55 PM

Becky is right. I was tested because I am Ashkenazi Jewish (Eastern European background) and I was under 50 at diagnosis, although no close family members had BC. My onc. assured me I would be BRCA negative - he confirmed that it is rare to be Her2+ and BRCA+. I know there are a few members here who are BRCA+.

I did test negative for BRCA 1 and 2.

all the best
caya

Cannon · 07-15-2009, 07:43 PM

Not all genetic connections are BRCA - many people have family history of breast cancer without BRCA.

There are assumed to be other genes involved, not yet identified.

Your sister's doctors are right to be careful - that's what my sister's doctor does too.

I had thyroid cancer, a year later my sister was diagnosed with same -- there is no known gene for that either.

Rebecca

Sherryg683 · 07-15-2009, 08:15 PM

My Oncologist also told me that Her2 was not herditary and that said something about Jewish decent is what they usually see it in...sherry

harrie · 07-16-2009, 01:00 AM

I am BRCA2 positive as well as HER2 + for my 2006 breast cancer.

BTW, my mother and her sister (both deceased) had breast canc. I have 2 sisters. I am the only one that has had bc. Before I was tested, my sisters went in to be tested because they were wondering if they had the gene. My geneticist told them that I was the one to be tested since I had the history of bc. I was tested, came out + for BRCA2. My sisters were tested afterwards and came out (-). My daughter was tested and is also (-).

By the way, I don't believe my prior incidences with DCIS was tested for the HER2.

suzan w · 07-16-2009, 08:59 AM

most of the women in my history died early from a variety of things, none cancer. I just requested the BRCA 1 +2 because I want to know! PERIOD! I believe it is my right and my duty to myself and my future relatives to find out as much as I can about this dreadful disease. My insurance company approved the test and I had to jump through hoops with my onc. to get it! She kept saying, "you prob don't have the gene, don't see a need for this, blah blah" Well, bottom line, I want to know!!! Still waiting for the results!

Brenda_D · 07-16-2009, 10:28 AM

I had wanted the test for my sisters' sakes, and did ask about 2 years ago. My onc told me that about my type not being hereditary, and also said "your insurance won't pay for it". I kind of felt like I was being brushed off a little, but I figured he told me the truth about the hereditary part.
If I remember, I'll ask my new onc when I see her again.
Thanks everyone, for the input.
I just kind of feel bad for my sisters now having to get expensive tests because of me. Also that they have to travel to another town to get them because they don't do breast MRI's here. I told them do what you think is best, but better to know there's nothing there, than to hope they didn't miss anything on the mammo.

harrie · 07-16-2009, 11:46 AM

Brenda, did your mother or father have cancer? How about their siblings?

I had a very strong family history. My mother had bc and died at 69 yrs old. Her sister (my aunt) had bc and died even younger. Their dad (my grandfather) had pancreatic cancer. Having the BRCA2 increases chances of getting pancreatic, colon, and melenoma along with bc.

If your parents have not had a history of any of these cancers, your chances and your sister's chances are prob very minimal of carrying the gene despite the fact that you had bc and being HER2 to me is insignificant.

Brenda_D · 07-17-2009, 06:29 AM

My parents did not have cancer. My Mom's 2 sisters had cancer, breast and lung, and her brother had bladder cancer. All had cancer late in life (in their 70's) and all died from their cancers.

harrie · 07-24-2009, 12:48 AM

Well Brenda, now you know, your onco is off. Your type (HER2) does not exclude you from having the BRCA gene.
Keep in mind, you do not have to go through your onco to be tested.
I went on my own to a womens and childrens medical center that had a geneticist. She was very informative, counselled me and told me it WOULD be covered by my insurance.
I think you have plenty enough indications that the geneticist could easily submit to insurance that you have a strong family history.
Forget what your onco said. Find your own geneticist and talk to her directly and see what SHE says. I think you will be surprised.
If you don't know of a geneticist, I am sure with some research you could easily find one. If nothing else, you can probably find a person or info at FORCE to locate a geneticist to be tested.
It makes way more sense for you to be tested rather then your sisters.

suzan w · 07-28-2009, 02:37 PM

PS see my new thread...I was also told that Her2 breast cancer would not be positive for BRCA 1 2, but today got the test results...POSITIVE! My philosophy...don't take no for an answer, If I think it might be a problem, then I deserve an answer!!! XO Suzan

Linda · 07-28-2009, 03:07 PM

I'm another that was BRCA tested because of Jewish descent. I was also negative for BRCA 1 and 2, even though both of my grandmothers had bc, and 2 uncles had colon cancer, which is related. There are probably other genetic factors that they don't know how to test yet.
Linda
her2 pos, er/pr neg, stage 3a

Jackie07 · 10-11-2009, 09:46 PM

Just private messaged Marcia, but I thought it could be posted here also.

I had requested for the BRCA gene test because of the information I had received from this website. My 2nd Brother (10 years my senior) is currently undergoing chemo for colon cancer (stage II/III) and my Mother had undergone chemo treatment for non-Hodgekins lymphoma 11 years ago (she's 86 right now.)

I've just e-mailed my other 4 siblings (I am the baby) and asked them to go get a colonoscopy 'right now'. BRCA1 or not, our family is clearly at high risk of cancer.

http://ww5.komen.org/ContentNoSidebar.aspx?id=5930

Soccermom · 10-11-2009, 09:52 PM

Her2 and BRCA are two distinctively different entities...
Her2 is a protein given off by ones cancer cell in excessive amounts..
A BRCA mutation is damage to one or more of the "tumour suppressor genes" (part of our DNA) hence hereditary...it most certainly IS possible to be BRCA+ and be Her2 neu+

Jackie I will keep my fingers crossed for a NEGATIVE BRCA test!

Jackie07 · 10-11-2009, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the clarification, Marcia.

Myriad had offered to test my family members free of charge when the report of my BRCA1 'variant of unknown significance' result was given to me. But my siblings all are living overseas, so I can only remind them to get colonoscopy and other cancer prevention measures.