HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Data in on benefits of preventative surgeries for some...

Becky · 09-02-2010, 06:34 PM

Well, the caveat is that these women were only followed for 3 years. I don't know ovarian cancer statistics for BRCA+ women but I do know the breast cancer stats.

If BRCA1+, a woman has a lifetime risk of getting bc of 60% - 80% (BRCA2+ is 45%- 60%). That is lifetime risk so basically out of 100 BRCA1+ women, by the end of their lifetime, 60-80 of them will have been diagnosed with bc. So, in 3 years time with a variety of aged women, how many will get cancer? Certainly not all who will. Perhaps some who have not gotten cancer won't but many, many will but perhaps not for 10 years from now. Secondly, these genes, in some families, affect the ovaries. You can see BRCA 1 families where the women all get ovarian cancer and perhaps a rare woman with breast cancer whereas another family where it is opposite.

So, if this study keeps up with following these women, you will see the cancer rates increase with those doing only survellience vs prophylactic surgeries.

09-02-2010, 06:34 PM	#8
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Data in on benefits of preventative surgeries for some... Well, the caveat is that these women were only followed for 3 years. I don't know ovarian cancer statistics for BRCA+ women but I do know the breast cancer stats. If BRCA1+, a woman has a lifetime risk of getting bc of 60% - 80% (BRCA2+ is 45%- 60%). That is lifetime risk so basically out of 100 BRCA1+ women, by the end of their lifetime, 60-80 of them will have been diagnosed with bc. So, in 3 years time with a variety of aged women, how many will get cancer? Certainly not all who will. Perhaps some who have not gotten cancer won't but many, many will but perhaps not for 10 years from now. Secondly, these genes, in some families, affect the ovaries. You can see BRCA 1 families where the women all get ovarian cancer and perhaps a rare woman with breast cancer whereas another family where it is opposite. So, if this study keeps up with following these women, you will see the cancer rates increase with those doing only survellience vs prophylactic surgeries. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"