Little miss worried - can I get tested due to family history of cancer?

Hi,em I'm new to all this so don't know how to put my questions,I hope I don't offend anybody as I have a disorder and don't realise sometimes that I've not put things the best way when I say them so incase I apologise please bear with me I really don't mean to,hopefully my apology won't be needed but just incase,,,I'm a 38yr old woman who in my 20s did test positive and treated for borderline nuclear cells in my cervix and have been fine but my illness causes constant worry and stress about the possibility of of cancer as my paternal family from cousins to aunts great aunts nana great nan papa well c hasn't skip a generation most of them have passed from every kind of cancer and my mother also just got treated for breast cancer I'm terrified and could really use advice on wether I can and should be tested to see if I'm high risk of getting it because of mine and my families history of it I'm so so worried and would appreciate any advice I can get,thank you

  • Hi Infiniteworry,

    Only around 5% of breast cancers are hereditary. I hope you check yourself and push right in to feel for any lumps and also under your armpits and down the outer side of your breasts. Why not look up what symptoms to watch out for and hope this eases your worrying. I've had breast cancer and have been told I'm cancer free now after a whole load of treatments, so far as they can tell. And you know what? I'm grateful for every single day now in a way I wasn't before. That's almost a gift and how I like to see it.

    Please don't wish your life away worrying about cancer. Keeping your immune system healthy, getting regular exercise and keeping to a healthy weight should be enough to give you the best chance of never getting it. 

    Does that help you any? 

    Sending a hug and please don't waste your life worrying about things that may never happen x

  • Welcome to the forum Infiniteworry although I'm sorry for the reason you're joining us.

    It can be worrying knowing that a lot of family members have had cancer but I hope this information we have on our website about inherited cancer genes and increased cancer risk will help alleviate some of your fears. There are also some sections about genetic testing and what to ask your doctor if this is something you do want to pursue.

    I hope this helps but if you'd like to discuss this further with one of our cancer nurses, you can do so on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator