Should I have a genetic test for cancer?

[jules]

My grandmother had ovarian cancer at age 40 and my mother had it at age 32. I have heard that the earlier a cancer occurs, the more likely it is to have a familial link. Is this true? I'm now 30 so I'm close to the age that my mother was when she was diagnosed. She was incredibly lucky - she had no symptoms and was only diagnosed because she underwent surgery for an unrelated condition and they spotted the tumour.

[chigwell_shell]

You are checked every 3yrs for cervical cancer but this does not include the ovaries.

I would have a chat with your Dr, because of the high risk i would have thought you would be able to have an ovarian scan.
If not you could pay and have one done privately

[lo_mcg]

About 5% of ovarian cancers are caused by an inherited faulty gene; inherited genes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include BRCA1 and BRCA2. the same genes that increase the risk of breast cancer.

As you have a very close relative (your mother) who has had ovarian cancer, yes you may be more at risk of developing ovarian cancer, and as your mother was under 50 when hers was diagnosed, it is more likely that it is due to an inherited faulty gene.

I think you should definitely talk to your doctor about genetic testing. But remember, even if your mother does have the faulty gene, it doesn't mean you will have it, and even if you do it doesn't mean you will definitely get cancer.

Good luck.

[mrsc]

next time you are at the Dr have a chat with him / her about it.

[BEC]

Yes definitely.
And I would insist on regular ultrasound scans.
My mother died of ovarian cancer age 55, and I've been told I don't qualify for genetic testing as there are no other relatives with ovarian or breast cancer in our family - one doctor also told me that you have to have a surviving relative that has had the cancer for this form of testing, so you would fall into all of these categories. I have had several ultrasound scans, and all have been OK so far (I'm 40).
It's a silent disease with few symptoms as you know, and if it's caught late it's bad news. I'm glad to hear your mother beat this terrible disease.