BRCA: Your Test Results Are In ...

Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" and the boobies. Ok, maybe not in that order, but boobies did come shortly after all the other awesome stuff that God created. Let me explain.

My mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 41. She is now a 20 year survivor, Praise the Lord! My mom's mom had breast cancer when she passed away in her 80's, but it was not the cause of death. My dad's mom passed away from Ovarian Cancer in her 70's. Cancer, cancer, cancer. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

I knew from my moms history that mammograms would be in my near future so I started talking to my doctor about them when I turned 31. Many years ago, I was told that I would start mammograms 10 years prior to the age of my mom's cancer ... until insurance stepped in. The insurance company changed the age to 35, if you have a history of the cancer. I was not ok with that. I refused to let the insurance company decide my course of action. So, I fought. I asked for 3 years in a row about mammograms, but I was turned down every time because I wasn't 35 yet.

During that time, one of my best friends educated me on the BRCA Gene, so I also started asking about being tested for that. This test will tell you if you are positive or negative for the gene and it will give you a pretty accurate percentage of your chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. I was tested for the gene in 2012, but my insurance turned it down. The test was $4,000 if I wanted to proceed on my own dime. I chose not to proceed.

I was finally approved for the mammogram last year so I got my first big squeeze on Dec 31st. What a way to finish the year! I'll be honest, it really wasn't that bad. I only felt discomfort one time, so if you haven't been going because you thought it would be painful, then put on your big girl panties and go get it done. I'll even go with you if you want me to!

On Jan 6th, I was driving to work when my doctor called. She asked if it was a good time to talk. Yes, it was, because I already knew what she was going to tell me. You can kind of figure it out when the actual doctor calls to talk. The insurance company approved my BRCA test and the results were in. I was positive for the BRCA II Gene. And ... I'm high risk. I have an 87% chance of developing Breast Cancer and a 55% chance of developing Ovarian Cancer. Well that sucks.

Now what? I wait. I'm not good at waiting.

I have an appointment with a Breast Specialist on Feb 6th (one month from the initial news). I can't wait to talk to her because I have a millions questions. Will I get a hysterectomy? Will I get a mastectomy? Will I get implants? Can I do both surgeries at once? How much will the surgery reduce my percentage? Will it be worth it? What is the risk? What is the chance of still getting breast cancer even after surgery? How long is recovery? Will they just remove my ovaries and uterus or just the ovaries? If I don't do surgery, what is the course of action to stay on top of these high percentages? What if, what if, what if.

With all of these questions, there is one thing that I do know ... Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." I know that God is in control. He planned these days. He knows the days to come. So, I ask that you pray for wisdom over our future decisions. I ask for you to pray that I can take these results and use them to glorify God and to be an example to my three daughters. The doctor said that the girls have a 50/50 chance of also carrying this gene, but they can't be tested until they're 18. And when that day comes, I will be there with many years of wisdom to share so that they can make the right decision for their future.

I hesitated writing this post until after I met with the specialist because I really don't have any answers or a plan of action. Then it hit me:

1. Someone else is out there sitting in this exact moment. She (or he) has a positive BRCA test, they were told that they are high risk, and they're waiting to see a specialist. That person has the same questions that I have. They have the same concerns. So, I want to encourage that person with this verse from John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
2. If you have a history of these cancers in your family, then I highly recommend that you talk with your OB about being tested for the BRCA Gene and starting mammograms as early as possible. I do believe that the info I'm receiving will save my life, and I would not have known about this gene if a friend had not shared it with me.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the BRCA testing. I'm happy to talk with you.