I have had a recent diagnosis of a Somatic Braca 1 mutation. I started on Olaparib last week and have been asked to stay on it for two years. I am looking for other women who are on the medication too. I would love to hear how long you have been on it, any initial reactions/symptoms and also any long term changes to these reactions/symptoms.

I have 16 questions ready for my oncologist regarding the drug which I'm hoping she will be able to answer. ;-) So far, my GP, pharmacist and gynaecologist-onc surgeon have either never had anyone on it or are only mildly familiar with it. As I live in Gippsland, Victoria, I think I may be the only patient they have that is on this medication.

Looking forward to hearing from you.....

Jenn

I've been processing a bit lately. I'm at the 3 year anniversary of when OC was suspected for me (3 years post treatment in July). All is going well and I've had the BRACA testing done and I don't have the mutation. My check ups are now 6 monthly with no blood tests since my CA125 never elevated even when I had cancer.

I'm feeling a tad guilty that I have gotten off so lightly. A year after my diagnosis my mum had to have her ovaries out (thankfully her tumour was benign) but now she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother died of breast cancer in her early 50's - my mum is in her early 70s.

Starting to wonder if my daughter (25) should get the BRACA testing done - would there be any point given mine was negative and there is absolutely no history on my husband's side of the family?

I know they are finding out more all the time and I wonder if there aren't more genes involved than just the BRACA ones.

Kind regards

Rachel

Women who are interested in taking part in the study need to register to be part of the Lifepool project, which you can do via their website at http://www.lifepool.org/. Lifepool can also be contacted on 1800 198 082.

There are currently 54,000 women on the Lifepool database. The 10,000 women recruited into the BRCA screening study will be selected randomly to ensure the sample is representative of the population so it is possible that even if you register with Lifepool you will not be selected for this study. Ultimately, it is hoped that all members of Lifepool can be provided with genetic screening as funding becomes available.

If you are particularly worried about a family history of cancer, we recommend that you speak to your GP and arrange for a referral to a Familial Cancer Centre close to you. OCA Support Team.

just wondering if anyone else is on this drug if so what side effects have you had, I've had lowered potassium and magnesium levels, and for the past year my red blood cells have been increasing in size.

also I have been diagnosed with the PALB2 gene any one else also got this gene?

warm regards,

cheryl

I am pleased that this online forum has been established and am looking forward to further discussion, participation and support that this sort of forum can offer.

Take care  Helen

Lovely to meet you!  If you are on this forum, then you, like me, have been touched by ovarian cancer in some way.

I am 48 years young and was diagnosed with oc back in September 2014.  After surgery to remove my 11cm x 10cm tumour (clear cell carcinoma) and a total hysterectomy, I had six months of chemotherapy (Carboplatin and Taxol).  I was very fortunate that I was diagnosed at an early stage and to this day, I am cancer free.

I have been down the genetic testing road and have been diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome. Lynch syndrome is an inherited genetic mutation which gives people an increased chance of developing certain cancers (including ovarian) across their lifetime, often at a younger age than the general population (i.e. before 50 years of age).

I am extremely passionate about raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, because I do not want anyone to have to endure what I and my family and friends did. I am also passionate about helping others who have been touched by this disease. Ovarian Cancer Australia were an invaluable resource to me following my diagnosis and I am thrilled that this forum has been established, so that they can increase their reach and help those in need of support, during a very difficult time.

So, that's me in a nutshell!  If you have any questions at all, please ask. =o)