A few weeks ago I got genetic counseling because of the history of cancer in both sides of my family. Having just fought off pancreatic cancer, a disease my father died of, I am a good candidate to run what they call a "deep-dive" into my genes.
It turns out that 0.25% (1 in 400) of us humans carry a mutation in our BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. I happen to be one of them. It's called being BRCA-positive. I've got the BRCA2 type.
The potential consequences are MUCH more challenging in women than in men. Whereas I now know that I'll need to be screened more regularly for prostate, pancreatic and breast cancers and melanoma, my sister or my nieces may be facing greatly raised odds of contracting breast or ovarian cancer.
Not knowing from which side of my family I inherited this mutation, it makes sense that not only my siblings, but also my first cousins (four on my dad's side, four on my mom's) get tested for this particular mutation. Some may choose or be advised not to be tested. I choose to know. And I welcome your comments or questions about this difficult topic.