RN needs advice- family history

[RNmb]

It has recently come to light how extensive cancer is in my family. My mother has 8 siblings, 5 sisters (all of whom have cancer) and 3 brothers (one died when he was 2). Here is a breakdown of the cancer:

-2 of my mother's aunts- both died of breast cancer

My mother's sisters:

-Rita: recently diagnosed with breast cancer (in her 60's), double mastectomy. No cancer in the lymph nodes

-Alice: ovarian cancer, currently under treatment and cancer has not moved (late 60's)

-Kay: lung/throat/bone cancer, finished radiation a year ago. Just found out it is moved into her ribs, lymph nodes and other lung. Will start treatment again this week. Smoker (early 60's)

-Eileen: deceased from lung/throat cancer. Did 2 years of treatment, smoker for most of her life

-Patsy: deceased from lung cancer, also a smoker for most of her life

Cousins:

-Linda: who is Rita's (see above) daughter also diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts with some lymph node involvement. Had double mastectomy in May and is undergoing treatment (in her 40's)

-Rachel: is Eileen's (see above) granddaughter, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her 30's, currently under treatment (is very private, not sure how it is going)

-Koozi: multiple brain tumors (not sure etiology)

My mother and I are both in great health (though she has Diverticulitis and had a bowel resection a couple years ago), do not smoke, we both do our annual exams and monthly breast exams (we both have fairly large breasts). We recently went to see a women's health specialist in our area to show her our history and see what we should be doing. She recommended that all the women in our family have the HE4 and Ca125 tests done and to go see a geneticist to let us know our risks.

My question is to those who are familiar with these tests/oncology. I have heard that they are somewhat controversial and are not always accurate. I am 24 years old and my mom is 61. I understand that I would have to live with the results of these tests, so my question is do you think this is the right course of action. Is there anything else we should be doing? Thanks!

-

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

My grandmother had breast cancer at 39. My mother had breast cancer at 45, she had three seperate tumors in one breast, and cancer in 10 lymph nodes. My mother's surgeon insisted I begin getting mammograms at 29. They found a fast growing benign tumor at 36, and a large calcification at 38, both which I had removed immediately. My doc said we could "watch them." Watch what, I wanted to ask him, watch them turn into cancer?

My oldest daughter who is now 28, asked me to get tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, especially since I also have a cousin on mother's side of the family who died of breast cancer before age 40. (Also my grandmother had 3 other types of cancer in her lifetime, none thought to be mets. Her husband, my grandfather had lung cancer, his mother had uterine cancer, his sister had pancreatic cancer, and his brother had lung cancer.)

My daughter wanted to test herself, but they told her it had to be someone farther back in the gene pool. As I was the oldest one standing, I got to be "it".

I went and got the tests. I was fairly calm about it, as I personally was certain I would be positive for them. I was very surprised that I was NOT. So none of my girls has it, nor can my son give it to his daughter.

The geneticist explained that this does not let my sister or her girls off the hook, as the gene may have been present in my mom or her mom, and my sister may or may not have it.

I was willing to live with the results. My sister is not. I don't know if this helps you at all, but thought I would share.

[RNmb]

That helps a lot, thanks! Basically they told us that my mom is the only one who should be tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and then if she is negative, then I would be too. But, she recommended me getting the other tests. Also, she recommended that my mom have her ovaries removed, for me to stay on birth control right up until I want to have kids then get my ovaries removed (basically she told me to pop a couple kids out right now lol). We're still looking into all of it, so your information helps a lot! Thanks