Community Chat

[NoelSeven]

When my very close friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, there was research from the Mayo Clinic suggesting it was from a mutation in the BRCA2 gene. Her mother had died of breast cancer. Now they're finding out much more about BRACA2 and it isn't good.

I talk to her daughter often and she's on a high risk cancer list because of past history in her family. This will mean even more for her to have checked out

"Mutations in a gene best known for raising the risk of breast cancer can also double the risk of lung cancer in smokers, researchers reported Sunday.

One in four smokers with the mutation in BRCA2 will develop lung cancer, the researchers report in the journal Nature Genetics.

The finding adds another cancer type to the list of cancers that BRCA mutations can cause. They already greatly raise the risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers."

From NBC news:

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/breast-cancer-gene-also-causes-lung-cancer-n118871

[Umma9Gumma]

although ihad bc at the age of 31 i tested neg for brca

[croemer]

Makes total since. My mother began smoking at 21 and is now near 80...she never coughs and has been very lucky to not have cancer. I have always worried about her choice of smoking...she would stop for months and disappointingly pick the habit up again...after she was past the worst of the cravings. Maybe she just doesn't have the genes for cancer...is that a possibility? She does chart low on oxygen intake when they check her...so she is not free of all bad effects of smoking. I have given up lecturing or cajoling her to stop...it has been useless.

[NoelSeven]

On 6/1/2014 Umma9Gumma said:

although ihad bc at the age of 31 i tested neg for brca

Umma, you are a survivor, I am so glad!

Good point, the gene isn't the only cause of BC.

[NoelSeven]

On 6/1/2014 croemer said:

Makes total since. My mother began smoking at 21 and is now near 80...she never coughs and has been very lucky to not have cancer. I have always worried about her choice of smoking...she would stop for months and disappointingly pick the habit up again...after she was past the worst of the cravings. Maybe she just doesn't have the genes for cancer...is that a possibility? She does chart low on oxygen intake when they check her...so she is not free of all bad effects of smoking. I have given up lecturing or cajoling her to stop...it has been useless.

croemer, I know how you feel. My father smoked until his death, but at least he made it to a normal lifespan.

I have a close friend who was like your mom. After years of smoking, she gave it up, only to start again. Then quit and start again, several times. It's been quite a few years off for her now.

I'm glad your mom is doing pretty good!

[croemer]

Noel this is what I say to my husband...she is 80...why continue to beg her to stop...she has lived a long life. It is what it is at this point

[NoelSeven]

On 6/1/2014 croemer said:

Noel this is what I say to my husband...she is 80...why continue to beg her to stop...she has lived a long life. It is what it is at this point

ITA! I said that about my father. He insisted on living alone after my mother died, and he insisted on doing it his way. He went out the best way I can think of, in his own bed while he was asleep.

I get it, I wouldn't want anyone telling me how to live.

[PAX]

This finding does not surprise me. Both my maternal grandmother and my mother-in-law survived breast cancer at an early age only to die of pancreatic cancer later in life. I always wondered about that coincidence.

[foundinlv]

Interesting thread. Thanks for the link.

[gazelle77]

What is the cost for having the test done to see if you have the gene?