Hi Cynthia- my BC was HER2+, and so far- they do not have any genetic markers identified for this. So, insurance would not cover testing, especially since there were no parent or siblings diagnosed with cancer.

I spoke with my PCP, and she ordered a different genetic test for me- her reasoning was that there could be other conditions besides cancer that the cancer treatment might aggravate. But even with her pushing the insurance about the fact that there is little to no info about my bio dad's family- insurance did not cover completely.

When it was done, it did not show anything for cancer- but two genes that would indicate an issue with gluten. We decided that was probably why I have never been a fan of pastas, etc.- I never liked the way I felt after eating Italian out, etc. And I am not a person of color- unless sunburns count!

I do wish genetic testing were more available for everyone! Hugs!

Cynthia, you are brilliant and you have a beautiful heart. You are exactly correct. Why people are treated differently is a hugh question . It's sad the way doctors handle BC patients differently. Maybe it's an insurance problrm or maybe a racial problem. I don't know. It's terribly unfair and just plain awful. My oncologist was a beautiful woman of color. She was brilliant, funny,
on top of everything, full of compassion and love. Thank God she didn't hold it against me because I'm white. Bless you! Have a wonderful day.

Cynthia that is a great question. I asked my breast surgeon for genetic testing and she said that it was not warranted.
I know my medical plan doesnt cover genetic testing but I feel it should be a requirement.

I am a white woman with both breast (diagnosed 2017 & 2024) and endometrial (diagnosed (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators), 2024) cancers. I was not offered genetic testing. I had to demand it for myself which I did after being diagnosed with a recurrence of endometrial cancer in 2021. My mother and great grandmother both had breast cancer so there was a family history of it which my doctors were all aware of. My genetic test results showed I have a CHEK 2 gene mutation which makes you more likely to get cancer. My oncologists think this is why I've had cancer 6 times now, 2 of which were breast cancer and 4 of which were endometrial cancer. I think any good doctor should recommend that any woman who has cancer should have the option of getting genetic testing, especially any woman that has cancer and a family history of cancer, any woman with more than 1 kind of cancer, and any woman that doesn't have cancer yet but has a family history of it. I've learned as a 6 time cancer patient that doctors don't always tell you everything that they should about your cancer. You have to do your own research about your cancer and treatment options so you are educated and can advocate for yourself. I can't even count how many times my doctors would have given me the wrong treatment for my various cancers or done nothing at all if I hadn't spoken up and demanded various tests and treatments that I learned about from my research. It's really sad and pathetic state of affairs when you have to know as much, if not more, about your cancer than your doctor knows so you can be as safe as possible and get the treatments you need.

I never asked, genetic testing was something my breast doctor ordered after getting my pathology results. My Hispanic mother, her sisters (11), my sister and on my many cousins have never had BC. I’m the first. My doctor attributed it to where I live—South Louisiana and “cancer alley” because I have no genetic abnormalities or markers for any type of cancer. I work in education and sadly, there have been too many of us that were diagnosed and we just lost a friend in October whose BC had returned.