To BRCA test or not to BRCA test?

Editors note: Deb and I started Loop together, but up until now I have done most of the first person blogging. So I am really happy her first article looks at a tough choice many of us have to make.

Suzanne

My oncologist recently referred my to a genetic counselor for a BRCA test. Although I have no family history of breast cancer, she said it is recommended for premenopausal woman who get breast cancer at an early age. I was diagnosed in my early 40s. Breast cancer is most commonly first detected in women in their 60s and 70s.

I struggled with the decision and weighed the pros and cons. Most likely, I would not test positive, but if I did, my treatment would become much more aggressive. Did I really want to know?

I, myself, have no children, but I do have 3 sisters and 3 nieces. If I did have the gene mutation, it would be important for my family members to know that they might have inherited it as well. Although having the BRCA gene does not guarantee a cancer diagnosis in one's future, it increases the likelihood of one occurring. A woman with the BRCA mutation is five times more likely to develop cancer than a woman without the BRCA mutation. 

While researching the test, I learned that laws have been passed to protect people from discrimination who have the BRCA gene mutation. This is a really scary stuff. It makes me think that with genetic testing, we have the potential to become a society as depicted in the sci-fi movie Gattaca. Are we becoming a brave new world? If I had the mutation, would I be branded with a pink BC, making it impossible for me to get a job, health insurance, life insurance, etc.?
 
I struggled with my decision but finally decided to at least meet with the genetics counselor. I would be given the option to go forward with the blood test (or not) at the end of our talk. In my head, I would do it. It was for my sisters and nieces and for the scientific community. They could have my dna and add it to their collective research. I had it all built up in my mind that I was doing it for the greater good.

It took about an hour to go through my family history. We discussed my ethnic background and built a family tree including my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews. We spoke about each person's age and medical conditions. For my grandparents, we spoke about how long they lived and their cause of death. When we were finally finished, she told me that my insurance did not cover the test and that it would cost $3000. I was in shock. Here it was. My answer. So clear, so easy. It all came down to money. I wish she would have mentioned this sooner. Needless to say, I did not have the test.

For a fact sheet on the BRCA test, click here.
Deb