Pinkers, sorry no, right now my nose is in heart diseases. I'll do my best though as soon as I catch some free time.

Pinkers...you dont necessarily have to have ovaries out if it comes back + but my cousin did---just know you can get ovarian CA without ovaries somehow.  Just not as high probablilty.

Melissa.

Hello, Melissa!  I had the BRCA gene test done b/c I had breast cancer just three months after my mother.  I was 43 - she was 63.  My maternal aunt had breast cancer when she was just 21.  My fraternal aunt had breast cancer when she was 72.  All four of us had lumpectomies.  I have four sisters and the GYN for two of them asked that I have the BRCA test.  It was $2,000 at the time  (2006) and I was told by the Genetecist that it wouldn't be covered.  But in the end, it actually was covered by insurance. 

You have to go through genetic counselling first.  Genetecist (you can call your state's medical school/hospital) completes a family history portfolio and calls you back in in a few weeks.  History portolio includes all family members (both maternal and fraternal), including siblings.  Living and Deceased.  So, you will need to know all the medical histories as far back as you know. 

Blood test sent out to Arizona (I think) and then results.  With all my family history for breast cancer, my test was negative.  However, due to the environment we live in, it doesn't really have to be inherited.  And the counsellor will be asking you if you will be wanting a full masectomy if the results are positive. So, think about it.  I believe if there is strong family history, the insurance companies have to pay for it.

Good Luck!  Testing is nothing - just a blood test.  Time consuming was telling the medical history; and it does show breast and/or ovarian gene results.

MamaKayCee

I'll try to find my old books, totally forgot what it is all about but I'll try to refresh my memory and maybe I'll come back with some interesting info.

All I know is that my mom and I also carry BRCA1, plus my granny died of breast cancer :-(

You guys know though that there is a possibility to remove the gene from the embryonic DNA sequence and the possibility to get breast cancer after the removal equals  zero :-)))))))))))))))))))))

But who knew that when we were in our mothers bellys????

Typo----MEN can have it too.

Melissa.