The tyranny of genetics

Dr. Rami called Pace today and told her over the phone that the results of the genetic test that started in Late January. I'm not a fan of getting medical news over the phone.

Pace has tested positive for a variation on her BRCA1 gene. The lifetime chance of developing breast and potentially ovarian cancer increases if she inherits an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

Women with an inherited alteration in one of these genes have an increased risk of developing these cancers at a young age, before menopause, and often have multiple close family members with the disease. These women may also have an increased chance of developing colon cancer.

There is a 50% chance that the Wee One also carries the altered gene. Given the rate of progrss with genetics, I am somewhat concerned but not borrowing trouble.