Usually I prefer light and fluffy for the blog. For my facebook. And twitter. Everyone once in awhile I vent a little, let a little steam off, but for the most part, my "battles", my honest issues, are not put out to the public eye. Except this one. Because I think it's something we can all relate to in one way or another. Even if we've never had breast cancer (or any battle with cancer for that matter) we probably know someone personally in our life who had. Or is. So here's my story with it.My mom had breast cancer at the age of 38. That's two years BEFORE the recommended age of 40 for getting a mammogram. My mom was adopted. There is no other medical history for me, than her. So the question is left hanging on whether or not this is a hereditary issue, or a random issue.
I just had my yearly with my OB-GYN, and after reviewing my cancer history that I had filled out on my chart, and the lack of history there on, he had some concerns. I'll have to admit, I was a little confused by his worries, but I trust him completely so I followed his lead. I have since done a little reading on the BRCA gene(s), but have only gotten as far as reading this website on the topic: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA. In a nutshell, this is what I understand of it, and more importantly, for this blog, what it means to me particularly. There are two genes that, if they have alterations, can lead to either breast or ovarian cancer. Usually, when a gene mutates, it has a second one. So if this gene already has a mutation, and the other one mutates, wa-lah, no back up. Cancer. The risk of those with these genes receiving cancer is high. And a sign of the gene can be that it causes cancer earlier on. Hence my mom having breast cancer at 38. That was a red flag for my doctor, and then not having any additional history... well, he's wanting to play it safe. Because, as he explained it, once he, as a doctor, detects ovarian cancer, it's already too late. It's a death sentence. Prevention is on his mind. So with my mom's history, and with the twist of the adoption and not having access to any farther history, I should be a candidate for insurance to help cover the hefty fee for the BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene. Which, for my test (it varies, I don't know why) is a whopping $3,340.00 out of pocket.
My insurance has denied coverage on this, saying they require two generations of cancer history for it to be a concern. I understand this. But our concern is... we don't have it. So my doctor is appealing.
Another method of prevention is breast MRI's. Apparently they catch more detail, quicker. And also, being young, my breasts are dense. And being thin, I don't have fat boobs and since fat is see through, and I don't have any in my boobs (is this a nice way to say I have SMALL boobs? LOL), my boobs are rather dense and can be hard to see through with a mammogram. My mom had cancer at 38, I'm now 32. My doctor doesn't want to take any chances.
Tomorrow is my first MRI. I get to do this yearly, with bi-yearly breast exams at my doctor's office. I'm not nervous or worried. I don't expect that anything will be found. I'm not even paranoid, but I feel it's a lot like flossing. Prevention now, can possibly save me a lot of pain later.
I plan on reading up more on the BRCA gene(s). I still feel I don't really have a firm grasp on this.
And maybe, just maybe, some of you might have some information that I don't know yet. Or I can share with you. That's what blogging is for, right?
So here's to prevention. And to hoping the appeal goes through to my insurance. To know, or not to know, it's a very good question.
