Genetics

I got some good news today.....

The genetic councilor from Mass General called me today and informed me that both of the genetic tests that I did came back NEGATIVE!!!!  Although that means we are not sure where my breast cancer came from, we can safely say that it is not genetic.  

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer 1 & 2) which would have made me have a higher chance to get BC was negative.  Someone with BRCA1 or 2 has a 50-85% chance of developing BC and a 20-55% chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Also, the P53 (Li Fraumeni) gene - which increases your chances (about 50% for a 1st occurance by age 30, or 90% by age 70, and 15% for a 2nd occurance) of not only breast cancer, but also any other cancer, was found to be negative as well!  That means that I will not have to worry about anyone else in my family having the gene - or a higher chance of developing cancer.  Also, my daughter will not have to be tested prematurely to see if she has it. 

The chance that I would develop breast cancer was the same as anyone else - 10-12%.  I just had the "good luck" of getting it about 15 years early.  And the "really good luck" that I FOUND it 15 years early!