Have you been tested for the cancer gene?

[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.