BACKGROUND: Molecular screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is now an established component of risk evaluation and management of familial breast cancer. Features of hereditary breast cancer include an early age-of-onset and over-representation of the 'triple-negative' phenotype (negative for estrogen-receptor, progesterone-receptor and HER2). The decision to offer genetic testing to a breast cancer patient is usually based on her family history, but in the absence of a family history of cancer, some women may qualify for testing based on the age-of-onset and/or the pathologic features of the breast cancer. METHODS: We studied 54 women who were diagnosed with high-grade, triple-negative invasive breast cancer at or before age 40. These women were selected for study because they had little or no family history of breast or ovarian cancer and they did not qualify for genetic testing using conventional family history criteria. BRCA1 screening was performed using a combination of fluorescent multiplexed-PCR analysis, BRCA1 exon-13 6 kb duplication screening, the protein truncation test (PTT) and fluorescent multiplexed denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). All coding exons of BRCA1 were screened. The two large exons of BRCA2 were also screened using PTT. All mutations were confirmed with direct sequencing. RESULTS: Five deleterious BRCA1 mutations and one deleterious BRCA2 mutation were identified in the 54 patients with early-onset, triple-negative breast cancer (11%). CONCLUSION: Women with early-onset triple-negative breast cancer are candidates for genetic testing for BRCA1, even in the absence of a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

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At your age, in my opinion you should speak to an expert in genetics, even though you don't have a family history of breast cancer. As Pam mentioned above, sometimes the men in the family can carry for several generations the BRCA mutation even though they have never had breast cancer. I, for example, do not have cancer (that I know of) and yet, I am BRCA1+ and passed the mutation on to my daughter. I don't know if there are any in Moscow or if BRCA testing is available but for sure, it is available in the UK. I know a Dr. Rosalind Eeles at Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Here is her contact information. Maybe she can refer you to someone closer to you.

Dr. Eeles details-

Dr. Ros Eeles  MA; PhD; FRCP; FRCR
Reader in Clinical Cancer Genetics
Team Leader, Translational Cancer Genetics Team
The Institute of Cancer Research

Honorary Consultant in Cancer Genetics & Clinical Oncology
Royal Marsden  NHS Foundation Trust
Downs  Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM2 5PT
UK

Tel 44-208 661 3642 (Academic)
Fax 44-208 770 1489
e mail   Rosalind.Eeles@icr.ac.uk
www.icr.ac.uk

NHS Clinical Contact Details
Cancer Genetics
Tel 44-208 661 3375
Fax 44-208 770 1489

Urology
Tel 44-207 808 2788
Fax 44-207 811 8017

Private patients
(Cancer Genetics and Urology)
Tel 44-207 808 2788
Fax 44-207 811 8017

The Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England under Company No. 534147 with its Registered Office at 123 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RP.
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if you wish please feel free to send me a PM and I will send you my email address. Happy to try to help.

you shall be in my prayers. I hope everything goes well for you..

good luck,

Steve