Genetic Testing (BRCA1/BRCA2) for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

[siomai]

Hello there.

Does your family have a strong history of breast cancer and or ovarian cancer? And usually the cancer patients are diagnosed at a young age - before 50 and maybe even 40?

Then maybe your family members, including yourself carry mutated genes that make you predisposed to cancer.

Have you heard about Angelina Jolie's case? She has no cancer yet but she had prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) to reduce her risk of cancer. Angelina Jolie is a BRCA1 mutation carrier. Her mother and grandmother (and I think aunt too) both died from ovarian cancer.

I am 38 yo. and am a BRCA2 mutation carrier. My mother died due to breast cancer at 57 years old (she was diagnosed at 48yo). My maternal cousin currently is battling breast cancer (diagnosed 38 years old in 2013). My mommy, her sister, my cousin and I are BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Let's talk about this more. I want to help increase awareness on genetic testing in the Philippines. I am a Filipina who recently moved to another country but while still in the Philippines could not find a lot of information on this. After my mom died in 2006, I read about BRCA genes. In 2008/2009, even St Lukes and Makati Med didn't offer genetic testing. I heard that they are now being offered. I hope our doctors in the forum can also help provide more information.

Post away!

[Dyuan]

I saw in High Precision Diagnostic Clinics they offer this for 1600-1800 if i remember it well? Want to try this kasi mother ko ngaun is Breast CA din. Any feedback?

[siomai]

Hi @dyun if you have the means and access to a genetic testing, it is good to get it. At least mas aware ka kung ano ang mga risks na meron ka.

I am having my meeting with my doctor again next week to discuss ano next steps namin.

I want to live longer to meet my grandchildren. Teenagers pa lang mga anak ko. I lost my mom to breast cancer nung 30yo ako. Ayaw ko mangyari sa mga anak ko ito.

Balitaan mo ako how much it is nga. Parang masyado mura yung 1600-1800 baka 160,000 pesos pa maniniwala ako. Globally nasa 3,000$ ang average cost ng BRCA testing pero baka nagmura na ngayon kasi mas available na siya

[[-c-h-a-]]

I live in Australia, we have this here too. I discussed this with my kuya and he asked me, if you find out you are a carrier, are you willing to get a bilateral mastectomy? Cuz if not, ano yun, am I just gonna worry all my life?

I'm 50/50 right now. So no, I won't get myself tested until I know for sure na kaya kong gawin ginawa ni Angelina. But most likely naman, I can... esp cuz I have a daughter na... But I can't say that with conviction *YET*.

My mom's 2 sisters have/had breast cancer. One passed away already (metastasized to her lungs)... and the other one, we thought was in remission na but found out last year it's back. Not sure if it's metastasized as well...

other types of CAs in our family, my mom's Dad (lung), my Dad (lung), my Dad's sister (breast), my kuya (blood), and me (lymphatic system)

[astarte]

Subscribing to this thread. Mag backread pa lang ako since my mom is a breast cancer survivor and I want to know more about this especially nasa 30's na rin ako.

[siomai]

I live in Australia, we have this here too. I discussed this with my kuya and he asked me, if you find out you are a carrier, are you willing to get a bilateral mastectomy? Cuz if not, ano yun, am I just gonna worry all my life?

I'm 50/50 right now. So no, I won't get myself tested until I know for sure na kaya kong gawin ginawa ni Angelina. But most likely naman, I can... esp cuz I have a daughter na... But I can't say that with conviction *YET*.

My mom's 2 sisters have/had breast cancer. One passed away already (metastasized to her lungs)... and the other one, we thought was in remission na but found out last year it's back. Not sure if it's metastasized as well...

other types of CAs in our family, my mom's Dad (lung), my Dad (lung), my Dad's sister (breast), my kuya (blood), and me (lymphatic system)

hi sis.

before you get yourself tested, it might be helpful if you first see a counselor. It is not easy. Kaya nga medyo nawala rin ako sa sirkulasyon kasi medyo matinding processing ng emotions - roller coaster ride siya. On some days, I feel like ready ako to do those surgeries, on some days hindi.

I am in the process of deciding so I am referred to a pyschologist para mas handa ako. For the meantime close monitoring muna ako.

I am sorry to hear about your family's cancer history. I think need mo nga magseek ng genetic counseling. I am sure meron sa AU din niyan. Your genetics counselor will help map your history and see if you are eligible for testing. Baka nga hindi lang BRCA testing and expand ka pa for other genes kasi madami klaseng cancers ang nasa family niyo.

Goodluck. May mga AU support group ako nakita sa FB for BRCA carriers.

[siomai]

Subscribing to this thread. Mag backread pa lang ako since my mom is a breast cancer survivor and I want to know more about this especially nasa 30's na rin ako.

hi sis. how old nadiagnose mom mo? anyone else diagnosed sa family?

[astarte]

^ 55 years old sya nun sis and 65 na sya ngayon. Sa mother side ko na female cousins 4 silang alam ko na naagapan naman, 35 up ang age. Di ko sure kung may iba pa sa relatives na di ko pa lang nabalitaan. Anyway kami ng sister ko magpapa check up din baka next year since early 30s na ko and mid 30s naman sya.

[siomai]

sis good to know na naagapan.

usually kapag nasa below 50 years old yun ang suspected na genetic ang nature.

[ishani]

subscribing. i have breast cancer diagnosed last july. i want to know more about the topic para sa mga kids ko.

[siomai]

@ishani hugs sis

how old ka na?
if you are below 40 years old then you might want to consider Genetic Testing.

We found out about our mutation because my cousin was diagnosed at age 38.

[ishani]

^im 41 na sis. undergoing chemotheraphy then radiation naman daw sabi ng resident doctor..

[luisluis]

Hi mga sis,

I had mine done a few months ago through a new company called Asia Genomics. ( www.asia-genomics.com ). Nirefer lang din ng onco ko. My mom and my mom had breast cancer kasi so I wanted to get checked. Fortunately negative ako!

[gab54]

Magkano ang test? Genetic Testing (BRCA1/BRCA2) for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

[crzysxycl]

usually kapag nasa below 50 years old yun ang suspected na genetic ang nature.

Natakot ako dito.. Yung tita ko nadiagnose nung 2012, mid 40s sya nun, stage 2. Pinaalis yung isang breast nya but she did not undergo chemo, natakot sa side effects. Mag herbal nalang daw sya. OK naman sya ngayon.

Yung uncle ko naman nasopharyngeal, diagnosed nung 2014, stage 4A. He was 53 at the time. Lakas kasi mag yosi nun. As in binigyan na sya ng taning na 6 months. Underwent chemo and radiation, OK na sya ngayon. Thank God.

Then yung lola ko, not sure kung cancer pero tumor sa likod ng brain. Underwent radiation din, mana kasi sa kanya yung tito ko, pareho silang malakas mag yosi.

You're lucky sis luisluis!

Sis gumdrops26, pwede malaman sis paano nadiagnose yung sayo and sa brother mo? Anong symptoms? Tia!

[siomai]

hi sis @ishani musta ka na?

sis @luisluis that is super good news

Sorry all that I have been a bad threadstarter. Ever since being tested positive for the mutation dami ganap sa life

Like Angelina Jolie nagparemove na ako ng ovaries ko but didnt go for the mastectomy. Major na kasi talaga yun eh

so meron 2002 study by Maria De Leon- Matsuda et al about BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 in the Philippines. From that study they found 2 founder mutations in the Philippines so it is looking like there will be a good number of BRCA 2 mutation which my cousin and I both have.

Sana mas maging accessible and affordable yung genetic testing sa Pinas