What types of tests for gynecological cancer should be done (and how frequently) if you have a history of breast cancer?

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VivianVonGruenigenMD (Physician - OBGYN - Gynecologic Oncology (Verified) ) - 05 / 16 / 2012

1 vote(s) by murray
When a woman is diagnosed with cancer, she needs to consider her family’s history of cancer. Some cancers are inherited; however, most are spontaneous. If there is a concern with a family pattern of cancer, then a thorough family history should be taken. Sometimes this leads to formal genetic counseling with blood testing for specific gene mutations. If you have a specific gene mutation putting you at risk for breast or ovarian cancer, then surveillance testing or procedures are different from those with a spontaneous cancer. Therefore, start with telling your oncologist your family history.
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member9403 (Survivor (1 year)) - 05 / 08 / 2012

I'm not sure what is standard, but my gynecologist is going to give me internal ultrasounds to check my ovaries yearly until I'm 40 years old. Then when I turn 40, the plan right now is to have my ovaries removed. Unless anything funny looks like it's going on, then they get pulled then. I should note I'm 32 right now, so that may change.
My breast specialist thought this plan was fine so we're running with it.
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