Gene Testing

[Rain]

I wonder if anyone can help me. I am looking for information about the test to see if you are carrying the gene for breast cancer. My partner’s Mum died of breast cancer aged 58 and now we have found out her only sister has the disease aged 55. My partner is 52 and we are now worried sick. She is going to go to the GP to ask if there is a test she can have to see if she has the gene, but we were wondering if there are private places you can go to get this test, just in case it is not available here.


Where do we start looking for information about this gene? Also, where would we find good information about breast cancer generally? My partner had a mammogram in November which came back clear and we assume she will be called for more frequent and more detailed testing. Any help anyone can offer will be most gratefully received.

[lashes]

Hiya I'm not sure about private testing
But my mum died at 29 from breast cancer and my grandmas sisters has recently got it shes around 50 I went to the doctors and they referred
Me to a breast cancer clinic and you have to fill out forms off your family history and they assess the risk on that and them decide where to go from there I think they only to do the gene test if 2close family members have had it and it also depends in how old they were and things im only 22 so they would prefer not to do regular mammograms but with your partners age im sure they will do them regularly, if you find anything else please let me know as I'm in the same situation at the moment and the referrals take a long time

[Rain]

Thanks for responding. I will let you know if I find any useful information.

[Rain]

Lashes- Google 'MacMillan Cancer Support on Genetic Testing'. There is some excellent information there.

[Rain]

I am absolutely fuming. Looking at my original post I see it took four months from when my partner visited the GP and asked for the gene test to actually getting her appointment at the clinic.

She had to drive 50 miles to the clinic this morning. She had a breast examination and thankfully all was well. However, the specialist told her she is NOT HIGH RISK ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR THE GENE TEST.

Hello? Her mother and sister both had breast cancer. Her mother died from it and my partner's only sister is now in remission after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. How can you be any more high risk than that?

I believe they have fobbed us off because the health service is trying to save money. Even worse, she is not going to be closely monitored. She will get a mammogram every 2 years until the age of sixty, that is all.

As far as I know it costs about 1500 euro to have the test done privately. We simply don't have that kind of money. I am very upset. Has anyone else had an experience like this?