[bejuce]

I just found out that my maternal aunt, my mother's younger sister who is her 60s, has been diagnosed with IDC (Er+, PR-, not sure of her HER-2 status yet). I don't know many details, except that she's had surgery (a lumpectomy), is doing chemo, and will do radiation next. Now we officially have a family history starting. My dad told me that my maternal grandmother also had a niece that had breast cancer and a male relative with prostate cancer, which is news to me.

I felt horrible when I learned of her diagnosis because one of the first things that came to my mind was an emotional reaction of "see, there's a family history, now you know the cause". I know the thought should not have even crossed my mind, but I felt vindicated somehow that perhaps there's something in our genes after all and I don't have to blame my cancer on stress/diet/having kids after 30, living in the Bay Area, and so on (silly, I know).

In any case, I'm concerned as to what this will mean for my daughters, my sister, and mom (who is now 73). My sister especially is freaking out - she's 36 and pregnant with her 2nd, and already said that she will have her breasts removed next year as she's convinced she's next. I don't have the BRCA mutation, but do have a "variant of unknown significance, favors polymorphism".

So now I'm wondering if I should do anything more drastic with my treatment (which has already been pretty strong given my tumor) and remove my ovaries or opt for the Lupron/Zoladex shots.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!!

Marcia