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Melissai · 04-09-2007, 10:14 PM

Hi! I was diagnosed Jan.2006 with multi-focal IDC of the left breast (4 tumors) and DCIS of the right(which was a surprise in the pathology of my bilateral mastectomy). I am 37 years old, Stage 2, Her2+ by FISH 2.1, grade2, blood lymphatic invasion +, ER+/PR+. My father died of Prostate ca at 51, my older sister was diagnosed with stage 3 BC 8 years ago so when I was diagnosed we decided to do genetic testing. I tested positive for BRCA 2, so my sister was then tested who also tested positive. My little sister who is cancer free then tested and also is positive. It is a 50/50 chance at carrying the gene but unfortunately in my family none of us escaped carring the gene. We did have my mother tested since her mother died of breast cancer but she is negative so it must be coming from my fathers side. None of us had any problem getting insurance to pay for the test and UCLA has a wonderful program that you can be tested anonymously if you do not choose to use insurance. After the first person gets tested($3,000) it is only $300-$500 for the rest of the family. It is definatley beneficial to be tested as my little sister only 1 year younger has just underwent prophylactic mastectomy she had no cancer in her pathology and is extremely happy with her reconstruction and maybe she will not have to go through what the rest of us have been through.

04-09-2007, 10:14 PM	#20
Melissai Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	Hi! I was diagnosed Jan.2006 with multi-focal IDC of the left breast (4 tumors) and DCIS of the right(which was a surprise in the pathology of my bilateral mastectomy). I am 37 years old, Stage 2, Her2+ by FISH 2.1, grade2, blood lymphatic invasion +, ER+/PR+. My father died of Prostate ca at 51, my older sister was diagnosed with stage 3 BC 8 years ago so when I was diagnosed we decided to do genetic testing. I tested positive for BRCA 2, so my sister was then tested who also tested positive. My little sister who is cancer free then tested and also is positive. It is a 50/50 chance at carrying the gene but unfortunately in my family none of us escaped carring the gene. We did have my mother tested since her mother died of breast cancer but she is negative so it must be coming from my fathers side. None of us had any problem getting insurance to pay for the test and UCLA has a wonderful program that you can be tested anonymously if you do not choose to use insurance. After the first person gets tested($3,000) it is only $300-$500 for the rest of the family. It is definatley beneficial to be tested as my little sister only 1 year younger has just underwent prophylactic mastectomy she had no cancer in her pathology and is extremely happy with her reconstruction and maybe she will not have to go through what the rest of us have been through.