Back in December 2014 I underwent testing to see if I carried the BRCA 1 & 2 genes associated to Breast cancer, as with everything to do with this illness you don’t know what to expect until you have gone through it, so I am going to explain the process for you.
Firstly in advance of your appointment you will be given a questionnaire to fill out its basically a family tree health history. Its kind of a difficult one to fill out, well it was for me as I wasn’t really that well up on my familys health and i’m slightly ditsy when it comes to stuff like that. On the day of the appointment the nurse will explain BRCA 1 & 2 and the implications of carrying either gene. She will then review the questionnaire you filled out. Now just because you get to this stage you are not guaranteed to be a suitable candidate for Gene Testing. The nurse needs to review the details that you have submitted and then a descision is made on whether or not you meet the criteria to proceed with the test. I think everyone who has had Breast Cancer or a close family member with it really feels that they want to be tested for the Gene. Perhaps its our way of taking back power from cancer, protecting other family members or preventing it from happening at all.
The actual test itself is a quick, pain free blood test and that’s it over and done. I was told that it would take approx 6 months for results to come back – so it’s nothing to be scared of and it doesn’t hurt but can probably bring up emotions of fearfulness about how a positive result will impact yourself & loved ones which is totally understandable.
I really didn’t have a bad vibe on the outcome of this test and pushed it to the back of my mind. Then in June 2015, I got a call from St James to come into the hospital for my results. Well I can tell you then I got panicked. I thought it strange that I had to go into the hospital for results, as if it was good news surely they could just tell me over the phone ??????
Anyways I was one of the lucky ones and told that I didn’t carry the Gene. But I did explain to the nurse how bloody scary it was to get the call to come into the hospital for results as it gave me the impression the news wasn’t good. The few days while I waited for the results gave me a clearer insight into how girls carrying the genes may feel. If you are faced with a result that you carry the gene there are many scenario’s that you are faced with. Should you opt for preventative surgery. If you do this can leave you unable to have children. What if other family members carry the gene?? It is however only a small % of breast cancer that is caused by this dreaded gene. An some people who carry the gene do not develop cancer.
So in a nutshell, physically the process of this test dosen’t hurt. Its basically, a questionnaire and pin prick, however its the emotional challenges it throws at you that is diffcult. Also some people will be refused this test as they simply do not meet the criteria to avail of testing, this is also very upsetting and can make them feel that their wellbeing is being jeporadised because of money as these tests are expensive, however I can understand that there is no point in giving everyone a test just because they want one and there is obviously a lot of research gone into this area, its a really hard situation as I can see both sides of this. There is however always the option to go privately and be tested if you feel that this decision is incorrrect.
#breastcancer #brca1&2 #hope
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