BRCA: My Story of Hope and Healing: February 2012

Saturday

Great News!!

Got my thyroid test back after supplimenting with iodine for about a year....aaaaand my thyroid came back normal.

Hurrrrray! I am so excited, a tangable victory for me.

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I believe our bodies function as a whole, there are many pieces of the health puzzle that have to come together to create a whole picture. None of the things that I post on this blog are a miracle cure or can or should act alone, but in conjunction with many other puzzle pieces to complete your health. This post is also not intended to diagnose, prescribe or to take the place of medical advice, but to add to your tool box of healthy habits. Also, do your own research... let this blog be a stepping stone to finding your best health. Cami

About Me

My name is Cami, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend. I have six beautiful children and an amazing husband.

In December 2010 my mother passed away at the age of 53 of breast cancer. Two weeks later I found out that I am a carrier of the same genetic mutation, BRCA 2, that my mother had.

I have taken some steps medically and naturally to beat my odds of cancer. I am sharing my journey here to benefit those seeking knowledge and information about cancer, genetic mutation and good health in general.

What are my chances for developing cancer with a BRCA gene mutation?

According to estimates, about 36% – 85% of women with a BRCA gene mutation will develop breast cancer. In other words, women with an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are 3 to 7 times more likely to develop breast cancer than women without a BRCA mutation.

Having a BRCA mutation increases your lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer from an estimated 2% (general population) to between 20- 60%. Note that these figures are estimated ranges that may change with more research.

A woman's lifetime chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she tests positive for a BRCA mutation. If you have a BRCA mutation, you also have an increased risk of developing these cancers at a young age (before menopause), and may have an increased chance of developing colon cancer.

This mutatuion is passed down through a mother or a father. If your mother or father tests negative, the children need not worry about the genetic mutation.