Jill has tested positive for BRCA mutation, which amounts to her having the breast cancer gene. In basic terms, she was genetically predisposed to have breast cancer. If she were to go through treatment as planned but keep her breasts and ovaries, there would be like a 60% chance of her getting breast cancer again. We were told up front if she tests positive for this, it would be a double mastectomy and the removal of her ovaries. While we have yet to meet with the breast surgeon, the oncologist and the geneticist after learning of this, I am sure this is the route we will take.
FYI, The testing for this gene is expensive - like $3400. There is only one lab that can do it as they own the rights to it, which seems nuts to me. However, a quick google says that this might be currently being overturned due to a lawsuit. Seems to me that making this test easier and cheaper would benefit people. At any rate, here is a website for more info http://www.facingourrisk.org/index.php
We will meet with the genetic folks next week and will know more. Like what does this mean for our two girls? Jill's siblings? Or Jill's mom? Jill's nieces?
Jill,or Greg...Could you please get in touch with me? Would really like to give you some insight, as I too was faced with these choices.
ReplyDeleteI like reasons and knowing where it came from and why....I also like knowing that jill has a genetic reason for her rose colored glasses. I believe the scientists need to know that there is another effect of the mutation....those damn glasses. We should copyright that knowledge. Jill can now have the DDD's she always dreamed of...and a possible career change.
ReplyDeleteLynds makes a great point that echo's what Jill said after I made that post. Calling the results 'not good' may not have been exactly what I wanted to say. This gives us some very useful scientific information that honestly would not have existed 10-20 years ago. It gives us a game plan that will give Jill the best chance to live a long healthy life. It also might give her siblings and kids a better chance to avoid going through this diagnosis (breast cancer).
ReplyDeleteIn the end, this test result is neither good nor bad. It just is. But it is information that helps.
The decision will be Jill's in the end, but please NO DDD's!!!!