HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Joanne S · 10-08-2012, 10:29 PM

Rob, I'm very sorry for your loss.

I understand your concern for your granddaughter - especially with family history of disease. Perhaps you can find out if your daughter-in-law was tested for BRCA gene mutation? And if so, did she test positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2?

Please note not all children of people who have a gene mutation will inherit the mutation. On the other hand, having a negative test result does not mean that a person will not develop cancer. A negative result means that the person’s risk of cancer is probably the same as that of people in the general population.

Just my opinion: Since your grand daughter is only a teenager, I wouldn't be immediately concerned with testing her now. Medical Science will have more research results and many more advances, including different tests in future years. By the time your grand daughter is at age of higher risk, in her 20s or 30s, medical science will have more tests, possibly vaccines, and perhaps a BC cure by then.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy are her best options now. Google search "eating to prevent cancer"---there's a lot of great information available.

I hope you find this information helpful.
my condolences for your loss. Hugs, Joanne

10-08-2012, 10:29 PM	#4
Joanne S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan Posts: 592	Re: Breast cancer in the family Rob, I'm very sorry for your loss. I understand your concern for your granddaughter - especially with family history of disease. Perhaps you can find out if your daughter-in-law was tested for BRCA gene mutation? And if so, did she test positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2? Please note not all children of people who have a gene mutation will inherit the mutation. On the other hand, having a negative test result does not mean that a person will not develop cancer. A negative result means that the person’s risk of cancer is probably the same as that of people in the general population. Just my opinion: Since your grand daughter is only a teenager, I wouldn't be immediately concerned with testing her now. Medical Science will have more research results and many more advances, including different tests in future years. By the time your grand daughter is at age of higher risk, in her 20s or 30s, medical science will have more tests, possibly vaccines, and perhaps a BC cure by then. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy are her best options now. Google search "eating to prevent cancer"---there's a lot of great information available. I hope you find this information helpful. my condolences for your loss. Hugs, Joanne __________________ Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+ Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4 Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp Jun07...Start Tamoxifen Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25 Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly. Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :( Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex. Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+). Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin. Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin. Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin. Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston. Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable. May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up. May14...PET scan = uterine progression :( May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.