'It was only through my two sisters having cancer that I discovered my genetic status'

Lorraine Benn is the youngest of four sisters. After the eldest two were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she and her sister Susan elected to have hysterectomies as a precaution. Following this surgery, Lorraine’s histology results came back showing that she had ovarian cancer. Convinced it must be hereditary they pushed for genetic testing. While waiting for the result, she had preventive screening for breast cancer, and was diagnosed with this too. She later discovered she carried the BRCA2 mutation.

[rinty]

Sad that it is in your family. Hope all is going well for you now.... Thanks for sharing.

[anglophils]

Yes, as an American, I think it's a mistake that every ovarian cancer patient does not receive genetic testing. It's my understanding that in the UK, one must have two family members have a particular cancer, before testing is done on other family members. Here in the US, every cancer patient is checked for any possible inherited cancer genes. Every ovarian cancer patient here is checked fir Brca 1 and Brca 2 staus, as well as for Lynches Syndrome. If these genetics come back positive, all of the patient's close family members are sent for testing. Of course, we pay directly for a lot more of our healthcare than you do in the UK. When Anita, your sister came down with ovarian cancer, you family members should have pooled your money, and had her tested for Brca 1, Brca2, and Lynches Syndrome. Had she tested positive, I believe your government would have paid for other family members' tests. Also, I notice that this comment is four years old. Now, ovarian cancer treatments vary according to the underlying genetics, when they did not used to, so now your government may be paying for more genetic testing of cancer patients.