Hi gentlemen,
I am struck by the stress this all puts on our relationships, an how your stories mirror those of the women on these boards. Cracks get bigger, everything magnified, lines crossed, people over the edge. Everything gets more intense. I am SO glad you have good support systems. Mine saved me as much as the chemo.
That said, I have a question, which you may or may not be able or willing to answer...
I was tested and found to have a BRCA2 mutation genetically, and I have two sons. I was told that their risk of bc is doubled, although still low. Have any of you had genetic testing done and know your status (and most importantly, feel comfortable sharing if you do?) Do you have family histories? I know that when they are of age, I will tell them about the gene, but am looking to understand, both quantitatively and qualitatively, what to tell them. They watched me go through treatment, so I want to get this right. The gene came down through my Dad, but there was no family history there (predominantly male tree...).
Anyway,
Wishing you strength and peace,
Flashdif
| Posts 1 - 10 (10 total) | |
|---|---|
|
Larry63 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 192 |
Sep 22, 2007 09:08 am
Larry63 wrote:
I have not had genetic testing done. I have no children so the information would be of no value to me or to my doctors. I researched and learned that men with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have about a 6% chance of getting bc during their lifetime. I would not have a prophylactic mastectomy with only a 6% chance of getting bc and knowing that most bc caught early is successfully treated. I have been urging all men to do monthly self breast exams as any man can get bc. Men are not screened for breast cancer during routine physicals. Please don't worry about the possibility that your sons might someday get breast cancer, it is not very likely even if they have the abnormal genes. 3 year male breast cancer survivor
|
|
flashdif Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 1363 |
Sep 23, 2007 08:56 am
flashdif wrote:
Gary, Thank you for your response. I know that I would teach my kids, gene or not, to be proactive and check themselves and insistent with their doctors. 6% is not enough for me either, especially since none of the men in that family developed bc. I would pray that if my children (now 11 and 14) grow up to have children, and the the genes are passed down, science will have made detection and treatment routine and easy. Not that living presently isn't a great gift, but I'd have preferred to learn the lesson in an easier manner!~ Take care, wishing you health and joy, Flashdif |
|
beth1225 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1731 |
Sep 24, 2007 09:12 pm
beth1225 wrote:
Not to throw grease on the fire, but if you have any relatives at all, you might want them to know you had breast cancer if there is some kind of family history of bc, ovarian and/or prostate cancer. My father had bc, as well as his mother, all of her sisters and two of his cousins. We were all tested on that side of the family and are BRCA2+. There is also an increased chance of BRCA 1 or 2 if there is an Ashkenazi Jewish background, even if it may have been great-grandparents. There is an increased risk among African-Americans as well as people of Icelandic descent. I have done a lot of looking into this and have found a lot of information at FORCE, www.facingourrisk.org, in dealing with the gene mutation. If nothing else, maybe a consult with a genetic counselor is in order. I have one son of my own and my brother, who is also BRCA2+, has both a boy and a girl. All of them are underage so we will wait until they are 18 at least to let them know about the inherent risks. My cousins are also BRCA2+ so they have to make a decision with their kids. I also thought I would mention that my uncle, again he is BRCA2+, gets a mammogram and exam at Fox Chase Cancer Center yearly. Surveillance is the key. I have done all of the prophy surgeries as well. Beth |
|
flashdif Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 1363 |
Sep 28, 2007 09:31 pm
flashdif wrote:
Beth, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I've done the genetics, done the surgeries, notified the cousins, sibs, and mother, the entire gambit. I did all that. I just haven't told my boys, as 11 and 14 are too young to do anything about it anyway. And, as I have NO FAMILY HISTORY (it came down a predominantly male line with no cancers) I was trying to understand my boys' risk. Today is my birthday, and I'm sooooooooooo grateful to be here. Celebrate today, wherever you are, it is GOOD here. Flash |
|
spear98 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 |
Jan 15, 2008 01:14 am
spear98 wrote:
I am a 53 yr old female and a 3 year survivor of breast cancer. My course of treatment was a mastectomy and a helacious bout of chemo. My question is I have a 14 year old grandson who has found a lump in his right breast. He is quite frightened. I have tried to reassure him, but I guess I need reassurance! I am going to attempt to get him to Childrens Hospital for a check up. What type of response should I expect? Will our fear kind of be blown off, or should I expect empathy and some tests to outrule that something is going on there. His mother has had cervical cancer. My mother and 2 sisters have had breast cancer. Although he is a boy, I know there is male breast cancer and do not want to blow this off, but will the doctors? Thank you for listening...EXTREMELY concerned Grandma in Tennessee |
|
Larry63 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 192 |
Jan 15, 2008 09:02 am
Larry63 wrote:
Spear98, I was 59 when I discovered a lump in my breast. My primary care doctor took it seriously, as did the surgeon he referred me to, so I was diagnosed correctly quickly. I have read stories from other men who have had trouble getting correctly diagnosed. I have no way of predicting how the doctor your grandson will see will react. I think it is very unlikely that your grandson has breast cancer as it is rare in males of any age and very very rare for females at his age. I would get it checked out anyway as it is possible that it could be either breast cancer or some other condition which would require medical intervention. Try not to worry until he is seen as it probably is nothing which requires treatment. 3 year male breast cancer survivor, formerly Gary224
|
|
AnnNYC Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1567 |
Feb 24, 2008 11:03 am
AnnNYC wrote:
bump Dx 3/9/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
lobear Joined: May 2008 Posts: 2 |
May 6, 2008 07:31 am
lobear wrote:
Hi- My husband was tested years ago BRCA2 and we watched for colon and prostate with vigor- He ends up with breast cancer stage 2- I urge you to have mamamograms and do self breast exam and get those kids tested when they are older but at puberty have them start checking themselves. I think almost 40% of all male breast cancers are BRCAs and the numbers are increasing. Anyother help let me know. Harriet |
|
LauraGTO Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4719 |
Jun 18, 2008 06:54 pm
LauraGTO wrote:
My dh's mom died from bc...is he at a greater risk? STRENGTH for today, HOPE for tomorrow!
Dx 7/21/2005, ILC, 4cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 1/11 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
Larry63 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 192 |
Jun 20, 2008 08:26 am
Larry63 wrote:
Laura, My understanding is that your dh would be at greater risk of getting breast cancer if he inherited genes from his mother which put him at higher risk than the average man. The genes are the abnormal brca1 and brca2 genes but I think they may have recently identified others. It would take some looking but the increased risk for a man with the abnormal brca genes is not anywhere near as high as it is in women. My mother and her mother had breast cancer but I've never been tested as I have no children. I would not even think about a prophylactic mastectomy even if I was shown to have the genes. I think that all men should do a monthly self breast exam as any man could get breast cancer and men are not screened for breast cancer during physical exams. Also it is more likely that a man would find a mass in his breast than women do because men don't have developed milk glands and ducts which can hide a mass. 4 year male breast cancer survivor, formerly Gary224
Dx 4/30/2004, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 1/8 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
© 2008 Breastcancer.org. All rights reserved.