Age at Diagnosis Poll Ponderings

[suzan w]

I was diagnosed with a small, 7mm, tumor, ER+,PR+,Her2+...no history of bc., at age 55...factors preceding the diagnosis...STRESS+++ house was hit by hurricane in FL (Aug. 2004)while I was on vacation in WA (yes...near Seattle). Ended up moving to Seattle area in Oct. 2004. Had been on hormone replacement therapy for 7 years (dr said because of no hist. of bc, and I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis that it would be to my best interest...ha!).In Apr. 2005, when I had my first check-up with new doc here in WA, I told her of my gut feeling that HRT was a bad thing...she agreed so I stopped taking them...and scheduled the mammo that revealed the 'spot'.
An interesting note, I had a discussion not too long ago with my onc. about the prevalence of bc in Seattle area, also New England, San Fran etc. and she thought perhaps being areas of higher incomes, perhaps higher levels of education, that more women had gone the HRT route???
I was also exposed to aerial pesticide spraying as a kid in MA in the 1950's.

Just some thoughts from me on the subj!!!

[R.B.]

Re HRT interesting thought.

I suppose this would depend on the age groups.

Have regional figures been analysed by age group / type?

RB

[Rozebud]

As to BRCA testing, I had this conversation with SueF, founder of the FORCE website, and she said according to a highly respected oncologist, her2+ and BRCA1+ is rare, but the rate of BRCA2+ and her2+ is about the same as the overall rate of BRCA2. Meaning that about 20% (or whatever the number is) of all BRCA2+ are also her2+. That seems high too me as I know almost no one that is both.

[marymary]

I live in good old Marin County which is famous for it's high rate of bc.

Most of my doctors strongly believe that demographic factors are a very strong factor in our high cancer rates.

We have more advanced (time consuming) education, and hence fewer pregnancies. Many women postpone childbearing
I had only one child when I was 24. I've heard that pregnancy is protective.

We drink more. We are right next door to the wine country. I was never a big drinker but around here you're a weirdo if you don't have at least a glass of wine with friends, at dinner or possibly on Friday night.

Those are two big possible differences. I always wonder why. Sometimes it really eats away at me, is it my fault, was it something I did wrong? Or could it be environmental, was it that transformer outside my bedroom window where I grew up in Pacifica. It's hard not to know why. Could it be a combination of genetics and environment and demographics?

My nephew developed Hodgkin's Lymphoma (he is doing great!) so maybe there is some genetic component.

It's late, goodnight.

Mary

[juanita]

I am in central Indiana, farm country. I had never paid attention before, but I know in the almost 2 years since my diagnosis there have been 4 others diagnosed in this area.

[Mgarr]

I have been wondering these types of questions for some time I will try a Reader's Digest version of my family experiences & the area I live in.

Paternal

2 aunts bc deaths -1 Inflammatory deceased 54yrs old, 2nd unknown was mentally & physically impaired, Medicaid patient 1 lump removed path. said neg. for cancer a year later another lump removed family informed neg. again - deceased approx. yr. later of b.c.

Cousin, diagnosed w/ ovarian cancer before wedding at 26 yrs. Another cousin diagnosed before her wedding at 25yrs. w/ non-hodgkins lymphoma. Brother diagnosed at 23yrs. w/ non-Hodgkins lymphoma. All born w/in a year of each other at same hospital.

There is some genetic mutation (maybe environmental) at work. I have not been able to get a hold of 1 aunts records to find out if ER+ or Her+ wondering if that was tested she passed away in 1995.

I tested neg. for BRAC I & II but as the genetist indicated these are the only genes they know about or can test for right now.


Maternal

Mom diagnosed at 62 w/ ER+ bc after some years of HRT. No other noted history of bc in her family.

W/in the past 2 years there have been at least dozen women I know diagnosed; one of which was a roomate of mine.

Born & raised in Detroit.

[simimom]

I was diagnosed with IBC last year at age 52. The IBC did not show up on my mammogram. Just my luck this type of bc rarely shows on mannograms. There is no history of cancer on either sides of my parent's families (except for my dad who died from stomach cancer, which I believe was totally caused by his work environment since he worked for an aerospace company). I was raised at the northern end of the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles. Sometimes I feel like it's just the luck of the draw! Anyway, my last Herceptin treatment was in February 2006; my chemo was over in July 2005 and my mastectomy was in November 2005. 15 nodes removed. Path report showed no sign of cancer in breast tissue or nodes. I'm cancer-free and owe it t!o Herceptin