I've been subtly compiling a family history of cancer ahead of an appointment next week at the breast clinic. There's a few cases of prostate cancer on my maternal side, which can be related to the breast cancer gene and can make someone suitable for genetic testing which I had planned to ask about at my apt.
however, when it comes to my mum who was diagnosed at 52 and died at 53, I don't have much information. I was 18 when she was diagnosed and 19 when she died so never really knew the details. I've asked my step dad, but he doesn't know either except that it was very aggresssive.
is there a way to find out? I know certain types qualify in their own right for genetic testing.
the info I have/can remember is she was diagnosed with breast cancer at a mammagram check at the age of 52. She had not been invited prior to this due to an error (however had breast pain in the affected breast for a couple years prior which had been dismissed as a pulled muscle). She had a double mascetomy very quickly (before any chemo or radiotherapy). I remember her telling us it was in her lymph node after the surgery. She then had chemo and radiotherapy. 3-4 months later she was told it had spread to her bones and then died 5 months later.
all of this, diagnosis to death, was 9 months. I'm concerned how quickly it spread especially as I know breast cancer is considered to be more easily treatable. I've tried contacting her old GP but I'm not the executor of her estate or official NOK (step dad is but don't want to worry him). Does it sound like she may have had triple negative bc? She died in 2012, would she herself have been offered genetic testing? I don't think she would have shared this info or the results if she had with me.
