austin-moms-blog-brca-test-breast-cancer-awareness

Breast cancer is run-a-muck in my family. And I mean — it feels like every.single.person has had it. It’s one of my biggest fears (well, that and ovarian cancer and dying in a fiery car crash — oh and spiders). I digress.

My maternal grandfather had breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Yes. You read that right — my grandfather. He used to joke around that he was a pirate with a sunken chest. Out of his five sisters, three of them had breast cancer and all of them died from it. His mother had breast cancer and died from it. And out of his three daughters, two of them have had breast (one of them being my mother — who has also had a double mastectomy). And in my generation of this family, my first cousin who is my age is currently battling breast cancer. Like I said, it’s run-a-muck.

A few years ago, my mom encouraged me and my sister to have the BRCA testing. And honestly, at first, I refused. That test basically lets you know that you indeed are carrying a mutated gene that puts you at a higher risk of getting breast cancer (vs. the general population at one in eight women). It also tests for Ovarian cancer — which is just as prevalent in my family but this is Breast Cancer Awareness month so I’ll stick to the subject.

Anyway — I just didn’t want to know if I had the gene mutation because I had already decided I wasn’t going to do anything about it. I wouldn’t have had a mastectomy just because of the risk. Of course, now, I think maybe I should have just had my breasts removed — but I’m older now and my vanity isn’t near as high as it was in my twenties.

My sister is actually the one who convinced me to get the test done — and I was petrified waiting for the results. I mean, I just assumed it was going to be positive — just look at the history in our family. I didn’t even have the results sent to me — they went to my mom since she’s the one who *really* wanted to know. I think she feared that she passed the mutated gene onto me and my sister (since she tested positive for it) — mom guilt, it NEVER goes away.

Even when facing breast cancer, my results were negative. As were my sisters. My doctors are diligent — and very aware of my family history. So I still get yearly mammograms. I’ve had a needle biopsy done and I always fear there will be more. Any time something feels off, I call and get checked. I’m supposed to lay off the caffeine (as I type this I’m on my third cup of the day). But you know, I eat healthy and exercise so I just can’t give up that caffeine!

:: Do you get annual breast exams or mammograms? ::

 

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