Have you been tested for the cancer gene?

[Possegal]

Ah, there's also a way to collect a sample and mail it in rather than do the colonoscopy. That's been sitting in an envelope waiting for me to do that. This may be TMI but you can mail in a sample to a lab rather than the colonoscopy. I don't know which is more effective but for sure something is better than nothing.

Just to clarify, the colonoscopy is most definitely more effective. They can biopsy anything suspicious while they are in there. It's one reason it is the far better method than the fecal occult blood test - which will only detect blood in your stool. If you are looking to find something early, in a pre-cancerous state, waiting for blood in your sample is not the most effective way as most polyps don't bleed. Being able to sample anything suspicious is also what makes a regular colonoscopy better than the "virtual" colonoscopy, where you swallow the camera. There are researchers developing a sample style of detection that would look for DNA of colon cancer, but that isn't available yet. Until then, colonoscopy is most definitely the most effective way to screen for, and catch colon cancer early and when it is very curable.

Though agreed, something is better than nothing.

[rocknrollgirl]

I am currently waiting for the phone call with my results. I had the blood test 8 days ago.

Mom died of ovarian, her sister has breast, cousin on that side with breast before the age of 30.

If the test is positive, I will have my ovaries removed. I had a partial hysto 6 years ago.

After watching what my Mom went through, the decision for me is easy.

[arielmoon]

My mother has encouraged me and my sister to get this test but I am on the fence. My mother and her mother are/ were breast cancer survivors and now my father's sister is as well. Because I am high risk, I get a mamo every year, but that is it for now.

[rocknrollgirl]

My test came back negative.

[GLC1968]

My mom is a BC survivor, my grandmother was not. I will not be tested. Knowing that I carry the gene would not change my plan of attack, so I see no point to doing the test.

My test came back negative.

Good to hear!

[OakLeaf]

Yay R&R!

[Crankin]

Good news, R and R.
I think I would have it, but not sure. While I'm in the "genetic" group for the BRCA 1, no one on either side of my family has had bc. In fact, no one has had cancer, unless you count my dad, who has been living with prostate cancer for 20 years or more. He was about to have surgery when my mom got sick (not cancer) and he canceled it. After she died, he got treated with hormone injections and he's been fine since.

[shootingstar]

Yay, R &R!

As for taking preventive health care steps: If there are unknown environmental pollution/factors that contribute to my health, that's something I couldn't have known/often beyond my personal power.

But at least, I would like to be at peace with myself, that I have done what I could personally do to help myself improve my own health.

If anyone should claim genetic testing for protstate cancer for guys, it's misleading/rip-off (for now): At this time, over 80% of all men will get prostate cancer. It's just that for some men, it grows real slow and they end up dying of other natural causes in old age before cancer gets them. this has been confirmed by 2 physicians for my father since he does have prostate cancer. (But no other medical problems at all @81 yrs...which makes it more surreal. )

This is what I do indicate to people in person if they feel like giving up/or what's the point of taking preventive health care steps since 'we will die anyway" syndrome: The more multiple medical problems a person has, as they age, the more difficult one's health care will become. And most likely, more suffering there will be/taking more multiple drugs for different medical conditions simultaenously.

[itself]

Rocknrollgirl, congrats! Go celebrate in some fashion!

My friend was told that she has an 85% chance of getting breast cancer. Having tested positive for BRCA1 and having a complete hysterectomy, I know she is not driven by fear, but by the mere fact that her sister already had cancer. She wants to get it done and over with.

As my job includes speaking to specialists, I spoke to a woman surgeon today. It is amazing that a woman can recover in just two weeks from the breast procedure. She said if your surgeon is not using the skin spearing method, walk away. This is standard. The breast expansion takes a while but one can work while it is being done.

I spoke to a nurse who said the insurance, believe it or not, are covering the entire procedure. In fact, she has a dear friend that had a unitlateral done, and the insurance company paid to equalize the other breast despite not cancer issues with it. It seems, for once, the medicine is finally taking care of woman, not just men and their prostates.

Millions of dollars are spent on trying to "cure" cancer. I honestly do not think they are trying to cure it. The pharmaceutical companies would lose far too much money if it were cured. Pathetic really.

Good health to you all...

[Owlie]

Yay, R&R!

I'm not sure they'll ever find a "cure for cancer." There are just too many different types and too many things that may or may not cause or contribute to the process that finding that magic bullet is practically impossible.

While this may be a bit away for me (I hope), I'm not sure I ever get tested for it. It's just one more thing to worry about, and from what I know about my family's medical history, I'm at greater risk for heart disease or stroke than cancer--things that are shown to be impacted by stress.

If, however, I were to get tested and it came back positive..I'm not sure what I'd do with the information. Extra vigilance, I guess.

[Possegal]

as someone in the field, there is nothing more insulting to me than hearing that we're not trying to cure cancer. It took my father and is taking my sister. But yeah, as long as I have enough money, it's all good. Pathetic indeed.

Walking away from this thread, as I've tried to explain things about cancer and cancer research etc on this board before and was insulted beyond belief. I'm done with that.

I'm always curious of the grand conspiracy folks, you really think we don't want to cure something that is killing our loved ones? Killing us? We buried a much loved co-worker in February - lymphoma.
Or was there some sort of get-out-of-cancer-free card that I was supposed to get? I wonder where mine is? My sister could really use it right now.

Thank God for the Ignore thread feature.

[itself]

Having been a pharmaceutical rep myself, these companies are completely taking advantage of consumers. I was paid over $100k a year to have doctors sign for samples of drugs, and sent on fancy trips to the Breakers in Florida, and even a trip to Rome. My car and gas were paid for and my computer. I am ashamed that I was in that profession. So glad not to be in it anymore.

These monies could be better spent. I hope that the government dissolves these positions. In Europe, pharma reps are non existant, as they should be.

[Owlie]

Yes, I disagree with the way pharma does business, but to say those on the R&D side aren't doing X or Y (or are doing Z) out of greed?

-She whose parents worked in R&D for a pharmaceutical company and still work with pharmaceutical companies for a living; and will likely end up in the employ (R&D) of a pharmaceutical company, given the field she plans on going to grad school for.

[roadie gal]

I wish there's was more of a push toward PREVENTION rather than cure. If we could be serious about getting the poisons out of the air, water and food, and the hormones and antibiotics out of the food chain I believe that the incidence of cancer would drop dramatically.

[Selkie]

Having been a pharmaceutical rep myself, these companies are completely taking advantage of consumers. I was paid over $100k a year to have doctors sign for samples of drugs, and sent on fancy trips to the Breakers in Florida, and even a trip to Rome. My car and gas were paid for and my computer. I am ashamed that I was in that profession. So glad not to be in it anymore.

These monies could be better spent. I hope that the government dissolves these positions. In Europe, pharma reps are non existant, as they should be.

I'm not sure how you can compare company incentives/perks w/pharmaceutical companies taking advantage of consumers. If you don't like the business practices, exercise your power as a consumer and buy your medicine in Canada or Mexico. No offense intended. However, this sort of thing is not limited to one industry/field.

The company is in business to make money. It's not a public welfare agency or a charity. Do you think that the government should take over the industry? That way your taxes can pay for the R&D, manufacturing/packaging, etc. There also won't be any "competition" which could have an adverse impact on advances.

I'm not trying to be a *&^%$, but this is a complex issue. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but please, let's be respectful to others.

I cannot believe that the industry is intentionally NOT trying to find a cure for cancer(s). Let face it: whatever company comes up w/a cure will make lots of $$$$$$. And think of the positive PR.