Thanks Lucie,

It's funny, I haven't cried about my own cancer at all, but I cried about my genetic results because of what it meant for my twin, and cried again when my older sister's came through.  Thankfully we've only got one biological child between us so there's a 50/50 chance the mutation stops with us.

In some ways at least we're all in the same boat in terms of prophylactic surgery decisions, although I feel it's probably easier for me since I've got cancer already.  Glad they get to start being screened now though.  Got an uncle awaiting his results now before his three girls get tested, and another cousin has already asked to be tested.

What's quite scary is the different information they're all being given (they live in different areas), like the cousin that asked to be tested and was told there was no reason to think she would have the gene!!!!

LJx

I am also a twin, does that mean my twin is likely to get BC because I have it?

Hi Magpiemaggie,

Hopefully not, but nice to 'meet' another twin :)

Thankfully the vast majority of cancers are not genetic.  I pushed for testing because my mum had breast cancer very young and I now have it very young, and ours did come back with a mutation on the BRCA2 gene.  Because my twin and I are identical this guarantees that she also has the mutation.  If we were non-identical then it would be like any other sibling in that there would be a 50-50 chance of them having the mutation, they would have to be tested (as my older sister has).

There's no reason to think your cancer is genetic unless you have a very strong family history (in which case your doctors should already be mentioning testing), and even with a strong family history the test won't always identify a genetic component.  That said they currently only test for 4 mutated genes, in time that will grow and others will be discovered.

LJx

Thanks for the reply, nice to converse with another twin, I’ve only ever met one other twin in my life.

we are not identical and have only two 2nd cousins who have had BC so doctors are not interested.

I have 7 sisters who don’t seem at all concerned about their chance of BC, as one of them pointed out the odds are 1 in 8 women will get BC so as far as they’re concerned I took one for the team.

all get 3 yearly mammogram and so far so good, only one had a cyst and everyone got the all clear. Although I did point out my invasive cancer did not show up in mammogram or ultrasound they are happy to stick with the current breast screening method.

x

It's funny how we go through life rarely meeting other twins.  And when we do we tend only to meet one of the pair.

Nice attitude from your sisters!!!!  Kind of get it, I think in our family I took one for the team too as now they all finally know about the gene and can have early screening and more regular screening.  My cancer was probably 3 years old when finally diagnosed but then it was unusual in having such frayed edges that even as a 6cm lump it still couldn't be felt.  My mum's second cancer was the same and was only picked up due to her yearly mammograms (she'd already had cancer young so was on yearly mammograms anyway).

Thankfully they probably are fine and at no greater risk, which is also good for you as if it isn't genetic you've got less chance of recurrence etc. :)

As long as they're being checked, cause obviously the 1 in 8 statistic isn't as simple as if there are 8 of you only 1 will get it, darned statistics just don't work like that.  If they did then my older sister wouldn't also carry the gene.

LJx

Twins must be quite rare or I need to get out more but then again I never mention I’m a twin so guess others don’t also. I hated being a twin, hated being dressed the same, hated being referred to as ‘the twin’. Wasn’t till in my 20s before I was seen as an individual in my own right - really should seek counselling ;)

my sisters are a strange bunch, one sister was curious as how my breasts looked, so I showed her. Word is she called the other sisters to tell them it was worth getting cancer for and that at least I don’t have to wear a bra! People can be insensitive. I just laugh it off and don’t let it get to me.

oncologist told me I’ve had cancer for years too, tho he didn’t say how many, i took some comfort from that in that it was slow growing??

ill now flip over to my radiotherapy thread and give an update on that saga

x