BRCA Screening...Suggestions?

If you've read my introduction letter or My Inspiration to Inspire, you have some sort of idea of my history with the rascal that is Cancer. After years of my mom nagging me to get it done, then only to be refused by doctors because I'm "too young for a mammogram", I finally got screened last week for BRCA mutations. Getting this screening was like pulling teeth but after switching providers a few times and explaining that my mother carries a mutation, and quite a few members of my family have had different cancers multiple times, I found success.

The Genetic Counselor sat with me and reviewed my family tree, in detail, from my children to my grandparents and recorded health information for my family members. The review left her speechless.

She then, began asking for medical records and lab results, becasue "they", whoever "they" is, would need documentation. I don't know. Maybe she thought I was possibly being dishonest or something but who lies about cancer?? Indulging in a fresh, hot-out-of-the-oven, chocolate chip cookie as I set them out for the kids, even though I know I shouldn't because now I'll have to run an extra mile just to get rid of it? Guilty. I admit. But Cancer?! NO WAY!

Either way, my family and I were happy to sign the release forms giving them access to what they needed.

I was expecting bloodwork since I had asked my mom what I should expect. To my suprise, I was presented with a much more pleasant test: a bottle of Scope mouthwash and a tube. Harmless.

Now that it's done, there is a 2-week wait for results so I'll be sure to post an update.

In the mean time, I was presented with a list of options should the results come back possitive. I'll list them below and you tell me which would you choose.

A: Prophylactic (Risk-reducing) Surgery - have both breasts, ovaries, and fallopian tubes removed

B: Enhanced Screening - Early mammograms...but they could increase the risk

C: Meds - (tamoxifen and raloxifene) This would be great...except that I'm not "old enough" to take them according to Ms. Genetic Counselor.

Here's a link to a page with more information on the options.

Fill up the comments section. Which route would you suggest?

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