Thread: Genetic Testing

Has anyone here ever been recommended to get any genetic testing? If so, did you opt to do it? Why or why not? And if you did, would you make the same choice again?

I'm weighing my options. I know I have an extensive family history of breast cancer. I'm just not sure that knowing if I have the genetic markers makes a difference. Very curious if anyone else has been in this situation.

What are the odds if you have the markers vs if you don't?

Originally Posted by Thnikkaman:1555421

What are the odds if you have the markers vs if you don't?

Depends on the study. If I have the markers it's anywhere between 60% and 85% over a lifetime. If not, it's between 4 and 10%. And that's only for getting the inheritable kind of breast cancer, not all kinds.

Thing is, my grandpa had breast cancer. All four of his sisters had it. Two of them died from it. Of their kids, over 75% have gotten it. Three have died. Some have had the testing. They have the markers. So do some of their kids. Some have opted for prophylactic surgery. My dad had two non-cancerous lumps removed when he was 38. I basically already act like I have them because I probably do.

I had a friend who was dx'ed with Breast Cancer no less than three years ago. She died in September. She wasn't even 50 years old.

If you have the opportunity to know, it might be in your best interest to do the test. It would be horrible to find out when it's too late to be proactive. Better safe than sorry.

Originally Posted by gnomeflinger

I had a friend who was dx'ed with Breast Cancer no less than three years ago. She died in September. She wasn't even 50 years old.

If you have the opportunity to know, it might be in your best interest to do the test. It would be horrible to find out when it's too late to be proactive. Better safe than sorry.

That's my thoughts

Originally Posted by gnomeflinger:1555445

I had a friend who was dx'ed with Breast Cancer no less than three years ago. She died in September. She wasn't even 50 years old.

If you have the opportunity to know, it might be in your best interest to do the test. It would be horrible to find out when it's too late to be proactive. Better safe than sorry.

It sounds to me that she is already being proactive; testing negative might bring her piece of mind. If testing negative wouldn't change her actions, then why have the test done?

Originally Posted by Thnikkaman

It sounds to me that she is already being proactive; testing negative might bring her piece of mind. If testing negative wouldn't change her actions, then why have the test done?

This is true. I still stand by my thoughts. It's better to know and have it be negative than spend her life wondering if the shoe will drop.

Will knowing give you the ability to take preemptive measures that you wouldn't otherwise take?

Originally Posted by gnomeflinger

This is true. I still stand by my thoughts. It's better to know and have it be negative than spend her life wondering if the shoe will drop.

That's a good point, Gnomey. To a large extent, I've already resigned myself to the fact I'm going to get breast cancer at some point.

I guess I'm interested in other people's experiences. They recommend going through genetic counseling sessions both before and after testing. I wonder about how that changes perceptions.

Can you just get a masectomy and get fakes? I had a friend from college who did that when her sis got breast cancer. BTW her fakes were great.

Originally Posted by FanInAZ

Will knowing give you the ability to take preemptive measures that you wouldn't otherwise take?

Medical insurance may cover more preventative measures they wouldn't otherwise. Most won't pay for a mammogram until age 40 or later without a struggle.

I could get completely screwed out of life insurance (it's illegal for health insurance companies and employers to discriminate based on the results of genetic testing, but anyone else is fair game).

I hope you don't get cancer, Cheese. This world needs people like you to be in it.

Originally Posted by BeefStew25

Can you just get a masectomy and get fakes? I had a friend from college who did that when her sis got breast cancer. BTW her fakes were great.

Yep, that's definitely an option. I'm a little attached to my girls though. Not sure I'd want to go that route, especially since it's still no guarantee you won't get breast cancer anyway.

Gawd, that would suck.

What's the rate of false positives?