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Old 12-28-2006, 04:48 PM   #3
KellyA
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
I also had genetic counseling, for two reasons: 1. to make sure that if I had passed something on to my children they would know about it and be vigilent with thier own health care. 2. If I was positive, I would have definitely made different choices in my treatment. The rates are higher for certain types of cancer if you test positive-

TYPE OF CANCER BRCA1 RISK BRCA2 RISK GENERAL POPULATION

Breast 56-87% 56-87% 12%
Ovarian 28-44% 27% less than 2%
Second primary breast 48-64% 27% 2-11%
Ovarian after breast 16% 16% Not increased
Male breast Increased 6% .05%
Prostate May be increased 20% 8-15%
Pancreatic Not increased 1-2% 1 in 10,000

I was negative, and had to wrestle with the insurance company to pay, but am glad I did it. Had I tested positive, I would have had my ovaries out. My dear friend had ovarian and tested positive, and she had a prophylatic double mast. Don't know if this helps or not-

Love, Kelly
__________________
dx'd 05/06, 37 years old
er/pr-, Her2+, grade 3
double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction- implants
Stage 2b, 2 tumors- 2.2 cm and 0.6 cm, 3/5 + nodes
all scans clear
genetic testing- negative
06/06 began dd A/C x 4, 12 weekly Taxols w/ Herceptin
30 rads
Herceptin weekly x 1 year
Herceptin completed 08/07
Port removed 12/26/07 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
05/17/08 Two year anniversary NED

"We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... you must do the thing that you think you cannot do."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

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