Genetic Testing: Kick Cancer Out of the Ring!
Meet Sammie! She has the BRCA1 gene-she is now Stage IV. She is a FIGHTER! Her story is going to help so many people become more educated on the POWER of genetic testing and how it can help save a life! Her BRCA 1 gene came from her father, but her dad was not aware that he had the gene until Sammie’s diagnosis. Her dad now has Stage IV pancreatic cancer due to the BRCA1 gene. Her identical twin also has the BRCA1 gene and because of Sammie’s diagnosis, her sister was proactive and got a double mastectomy. Sammie’s family has been touched by the BRCA gene in so many ways which is why together we want to share her story to help EDUCATE the world on how important it is to know your genetic risk!
Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Your doctor might suggest testing using a multigene panel, which looks for mutations in several genes at the same time, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry, your doctor might suggest testing for three specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, called founder mutations. These are the most common mutations in people of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes The breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) genes are the genes most commonly affected in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Normally, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes protect you from getting certain cancers. But certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes prevent them from working properly, so that if you inherit one of these mutations, you are more likely to get breast, ovarian, and other cancers. You and your family members are more likely to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation if your family has a strong history of breast or ovarian cancer. Because BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are inherited, family members with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations usually share the same mutation.