Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

I tested negative for both BRCA 1 and 2 in 1999, but I heard there has been more added to the BRCA testing since then. I am considering more genetic testing of various kinds and want to meet with a counselor, so I might ask about that.
Jackie your piece on Jewish migration is very interesting. I always believed there is more to migration than most people think there is. We (the people of the world) are probably more integrated and interconnected than we think we are.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Yip, anthropologists say we were all coming 'out of Africa'. Here's another link about the subject:

http://www.haruth.com/Asian_J.htm

and this one:

http://www.joyfulnoise.net/JoyChina2.html

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

I checked on the link to Japanese Jews. Interesting. Did you know there are stories about the messiah in the northern part of Honshu island in the Tohoku part of Japan? Interesting !! Those stories are probably too old to be from the early 1600's-1850's when Christians in Japan were mostly practicing their faith in secret. I think it is quite possible that Chinese jews and other jews could have migrated to Japan and other lands further away. Traveling by sea has probably been done for thosands of years.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Yes, in fact legend has it that the Emperor of Tang Dynasty (500 A.D.) sent a fleet to the East (Japan? Korea?) with 500 young boys and 500 young girls to look for 'everlasting pills' so the emperor could live forever.

Historians suspect these boys and girls stayed there and became part of the nations there.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

That's interesting.
Maybe doctors, genetic counselors and scientists need to offer the BRCA testing to more people around the globe.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Hi,

Posting this WAY late ... but I'm also BRCA1+ and Her2+. Pretty unusual.

-Dara

Jan 07 - Diagnosed w/ 5x7cm tumors, left breast
1/23/07 - Started AC, dose dense x 4
3/07 - Taxol and Herceptin for 12 weeks
discovered BRCA1 in early June
6/19/07 - Bilateral Mastectomy, Oopherectomy
pCR
Herceptin until March 2008

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Hi
I am brca2+ and her2+. I just had a double mastectomy lymph nodes were clear. Stage 1 grade 3 tumor was 7mm. I will be meeting with the oncologist next week to discuss treatment. The surgeon mentioned that because of the size of the tumor I am on the borderline for treatment. Does anyone have any thoughts regarding that statement. I was hoping to avoid chemo.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Hi there -

Thought I'd chime in here because when my younger sister was diagnosed Stage IV Her2+ in 2011, I went to a genetic counselor to be tested. Both my sister and I tested negative for BRCA 1 and 2, and yet in January of this year, I was also diagnosed with Her2+ BC.

I'm sure that as genomic science advances, we'll see many, many more inherited links to BC. Until then, I'm living proof that testing negative is absolutely no guarantee that you're in a low-risk pool.

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Hi
I am new to this site. I am BRCA2+, HER2+, PR+. I am now recuperating from a double mastectomy. Tumor was 7mm. I have an appointment with the oncologist next Monday to discuss the possibility of chemo. Everything I have been reading leans towards yes to treatment. Do they just do herceptin or herceptin and something else. Sure would appreciate some feed back. Thanks

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Hi - sorry you are on this site but it is a great site with wonderful women and men!

I had Stage 1a bc 14 years ago (her2+,er+, pr-), lumpectomy, rads, anti-estrogen for 10 years (tamoxifen and femara). Herceptin/chemo was not recommended for early stage in 2000. I developed a new primary 12 years later - her2+, er+, pr_. Double mx, TCH x6 plus additional 11 Herceptin infusions, radiation and back on anti-estrogen.

I constantly wonder if chemo and Herceptin would have prevented the 2nd bc - I think so.

With your pathology plus the BRCA2+ - I'd go for whatever you can throw at the cancer now. That way, you know that you have done everything possible to fight the cancer

Best
Janis

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Dlaxague, thanks for starting this thread for those who happen to be both HER2 positive and BRCA positive. Did you decide to have the testing done yourself?

My results came back negative but inconclusive too, and Myriad stated on their report to me that if any future connections regarding my results were ever discovered by them, they would notify me. I have never received any further notification from them. Has anyone else here ever received any later notification from Myriad about more recent information in regard to their original results?

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Yes, I did ....can elaborate if you want AA. Cathy

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Thanks for the response, Cathy. With me being now 12 years out from dx and tx but with no further info from Myriad, I just wondered whether Myriad actually meant what they said, or not.

I am a participant in breast cancer and ovarian cancer clinical trials that also try to connect the dots while trying to create a better marker for OVCA and bc patients, and hope some good will come of that.

AlaskaAngel

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

AA, Yes, I was tested in 2003 and was negative for brca1 and a variant for brca2, they said that the variant was most likely not problematic, but hoped to reclassify. In the summer of 2009, while in the parking lot of Home Depot plant shopping, I got a call from them saying they were now certain the variant was harmless and I was brca2 negative. I was so glad for my daughters sake as I know my bc was caused by radiation as an infant to the thymus gland. They also sent a letter to me and my oncologist with those results. Cathy

Re: HER2+ and BRCA mutations - 1 or 2?
 

Cathy, it sounds like they do follow through. I'm glad that you no longer have to be concerned about the possibility for your family members or yourself, and that Myriad gave you that reassurance when they found out.