the risk of cancer

[goldenchicks522]

I'm worried about my risk of cancer because I'm not even certain about this, but I think my aunty had cancer at a young age on my dad's side... so not my mum's sister but my dad's (probably doesn't matter which side?)

Basically was just watching a programme ans they were making someone do the test to see if they are likely to get cancer, and I would like to do that test... I'm just worried that I've got a high risk. scared of knowing if i've got a high risk cos i dunno what /in what detail these tests actually tell you etc too?

I'm getting the feeling ,somehow not sure why, that if she did have it (Bear in mind i'm not 100% certain she did, but if i was completely sure she didn't I wouldn't be saying this stuff) then it was breast cancer, and my gran had breast cancer and therefore I'm assuming it was breast cancer my grans sister had also (I don't know about her other sister but would have been worrying if it was also cancer if she was young) with my gran, through my life anyway they always had each other (her sister) but I don't know when her other sister had died... which basically means that may be the most common or most likely, I do know it is in general anyway.

I'm so angry at my old doctors as i think they were useless, they put me on the pill which has a risk of cancer, even though I clearly already have a risk of cancer anyway... they never once asked if I had a risk they just dished them out (it was the cilest pill if anyone wonders) I took it for probably about a year or more, will my risk have gone up from taking it for this time? nonetheless I would not wish to take it again now I realise how stupid I was being (just so i could have sex basically id rather risk getting pregnant and having awful period pain!!!!)

Does anyone else worry? should I be worried considering what I think I know about my aunty?

[popejoan]

Well, I'm not a genetic specialist or anything but I don't think your aunty having cancer would increase your risk significantly. Breast cancer is common among women and the lifetime risk of having breast cancer is 1 in 8 women, but this is higher when you're older. My mum had breast cancer, I'm on the pill for 10 years without a break, had a cyst removed and I'm not that worried. That test's name is BRCA1 and BRCA2, you can have it but I think you have to pay for it. I have 3 cysts in total in both breasts and having checked yearly, I've had ultrasounds twice but not a mammogram as I'm 30 years old. Your risk would have been higher if you had a closer relative having breast cancer before, like me. And also it doesn't run in family aggressively, I mean it's not like most women in your family had it so you shouldn't be worried that much. Just examine yourself in shower, check your armpits as well, look at the shape of your breasts and nipples and if you notice anything unusual, have them checked. Hope it helps, take care x

[Canbud]

The specialists are typically interested in first generation, and/or multi-generational breast cancers.

Angelina Jolie's grandmother, mother, and I think maybe an aunt all had bc before a certain age, so there was definitely a theme going on there--plus she tested positive for the gene.

But, as popejoan said, one second generation family relative having bc doesn't mean you're at some huge risk.

[anthrokid]

If you are worried, don't use it as a negative. Use it as a positive and be proactive - check your breasts regularly and go to a GP for regular (yearly to two-yearly) breast examinations. Breast cancer is very treatable when picked up early, and if you do check your breasts regularly, then you are likely to pick it up early IF you do develop breast cancer. I have no idea whether your risk is high or low, but I do know that you can pick up breast cancer early and that it has good treatment prospects