Hello Tjlocks and welcome to the forum.  I am attaching some information about inherited faulty genes taken from another part of this website.  Please don't let this worry you too much; faulty genes are (I am reading) less likely to cause cancer than, for instance, aging or indeed other factors such as lifestyle.  I hope you will find this useful.   It can give guidance on whether there is a likelihood of an inherited faulty gene in your family (as opposed to being just unlucky).    Best wishes.  Annie

www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../family-history-and-inherited-cancer-genes family history of cancer

Hey Tjlocks, 

For a start, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. How quickly it has happened is enough to shock you all anyway, but now knowing its spread and you're all going to lose him is even more to take in, I really am truly sorry. 

In regards to genetics testing, just Tuesday, My Mum and myself were seeing a genetics counselor. We were referred initially by my mums breast surgeon, who was alarmed at the high volume of cancer in our family, especially the breast cancer that has happened to family members at a young age/been an aggressive form. The meeting with the counsellor went well, he explained all about how Gene's can become defective, and mum has had the blood test for the BRAC 1, BRAC 2 and another gene that hasn't had much research done on it yet. If Mum comes back positive for the Gene, I will be tested next if I choose to (which I'm going to) and they'll go from there. But even if I dont have the gene, or mum doesnt so I dont have to be tested for it, with the level of cancer in my family they are still going to keep an extra close eye on me, as I have a higher risk than normal already of getting breast or ovarian cancer. 

My Aunty wanted to be seen by genetics too, but it was all kind of done in mums appointment any way. But she got in touch with them by going to the GP. They look into the family history a little and weigh up what your risk of there being a gene or a family related cancer there is, and may probably refer you to genetics from there. 

I hope that helps as a way to first get in touch with genetics and to also know a little about the appointment itself. 

I hope you find out what you want to. And lots of love and light to you, your brother and the rest of your family at this horrible time.

Alexia xx