Breast Cancer Questions ?!
Question: Breast Cancer Questions !?
1!. What are the advantages to undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer!?
2!. What are the disadvantages to undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer!?
3!. In your opinion, what group of women would receive the most benefit from genetic testing for breast cancer!?
Thanks in advance
Www@Answer-Health@Com
2!. What are the disadvantages to undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer!?
3!. In your opinion, what group of women would receive the most benefit from genetic testing for breast cancer!?
Thanks in advance
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Women are referred to a specialist genetics service for gene testing if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer - several blood relatives on the same side of the family who have had breast cancer!.
You are at increased risk of carrying one of the two known faulty genes only if one of your parents carries it, in which case you have a 50% chance of inheriting it!.
So the group of women who would receive most benefit from genetic testing is women whose mothers or fathers carry one of the BRCA genes - there is, in fact, no point in anyone else having the test!.
The advantages would include knowing, if you test negative, that you probably have the same risk of breast cancer as the majority of the population!.
If you test positive, then you have the opportunity to consider options such as prophylactic mastectomy, or taking Tamoxifen!. You would know to be extra vigilant about your breast health!.
The disadvantages would seem to be that if you tested positive you might suffer from anxiety; if you tested negative you could possibly have a false sense of security - two BCRA genes have been identified, but there may well be others!.
Edit* zrepmd, it's the same person using multiple accounts to give me thumbs downs - my own personal troll!. If you check out my recent Cancer answers, you'll find it's happened on most of them!. She usually gives the same number of thumbs ups to ALL the other answers, whatever their content, by way of contrast!. It's someone I had a disagreement with on here yesterday taking her revenge!. Some people really have nothing to do!.!.!.
Thanks for the information; that's why it's important to have people like you on this board!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You are at increased risk of carrying one of the two known faulty genes only if one of your parents carries it, in which case you have a 50% chance of inheriting it!.
So the group of women who would receive most benefit from genetic testing is women whose mothers or fathers carry one of the BRCA genes - there is, in fact, no point in anyone else having the test!.
The advantages would include knowing, if you test negative, that you probably have the same risk of breast cancer as the majority of the population!.
If you test positive, then you have the opportunity to consider options such as prophylactic mastectomy, or taking Tamoxifen!. You would know to be extra vigilant about your breast health!.
The disadvantages would seem to be that if you tested positive you might suffer from anxiety; if you tested negative you could possibly have a false sense of security - two BCRA genes have been identified, but there may well be others!.
Edit* zrepmd, it's the same person using multiple accounts to give me thumbs downs - my own personal troll!. If you check out my recent Cancer answers, you'll find it's happened on most of them!. She usually gives the same number of thumbs ups to ALL the other answers, whatever their content, by way of contrast!. It's someone I had a disagreement with on here yesterday taking her revenge!. Some people really have nothing to do!.!.!.
Thanks for the information; that's why it's important to have people like you on this board!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I would like to know who the 4 people are who voted thumbs down for lo_mcg's answer (and why)!.!.!.!.!?!?!?!?!?!?
It is a very good, to the point answer, with one change: It is true that the most beneficial audience for testing would be those with first-degree family members with BRCA mutations already identified, as that group would have 50/50 chance of having the mutation!. However, usually we are having to make an estimate based on personal and family history, and don't know if anyone even carries the mutation in the family we are looking at!. Therefore, the group most likely to benefit includes those folks but also those who are at high risk because of first-degree relatives with breast cancer at early age, ovarian cancer at any age, multiple second-degree relatives with breast/ovarian cancer, etc!.
BlessingsWww@Answer-Health@Com
It is a very good, to the point answer, with one change: It is true that the most beneficial audience for testing would be those with first-degree family members with BRCA mutations already identified, as that group would have 50/50 chance of having the mutation!. However, usually we are having to make an estimate based on personal and family history, and don't know if anyone even carries the mutation in the family we are looking at!. Therefore, the group most likely to benefit includes those folks but also those who are at high risk because of first-degree relatives with breast cancer at early age, ovarian cancer at any age, multiple second-degree relatives with breast/ovarian cancer, etc!.
BlessingsWww@Answer-Health@Com
I completely agree with lo_mcg's answer as well as the oncologist's added note!.
I want to ESPECIALLY stress the importance of your 3rd question - I think all women should consider the genetic testing!. However, it is especially important for women that have had breast cancer occur in their immediate family!.
Remember that the genetic test reveals a much higher risk for breast cancer but does not guarantee that you will get it, and even if the genetic test does not show the added risk for cancer, you may still get cancer and you should still practice routine breast exams and get mammograms!. It does not black-and-white guarantee anything, it just shows if you are at a higher risk than the general population!.
I'd like to make a comment about the thumb down's in this forum though!.
In a forum where people look for answers regarding serious life and death questions, seeing so many thumb down's will make them likely to assume the answer is wrong and may put them at risk of not following crucial advice!.
This is clearly the work of a troll that would put other's lives, their dignity and any common sense on a shelf in order to carry out a personal vendetta against a member of the Cancer boards!.
I'm ashamed, considering that the premises for this vendetta are completely childish and false to begin with!. If at least there was a good reason to behave this way in a messageboard where many only wish to console one another during one of the hardest times in their lives!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I want to ESPECIALLY stress the importance of your 3rd question - I think all women should consider the genetic testing!. However, it is especially important for women that have had breast cancer occur in their immediate family!.
Remember that the genetic test reveals a much higher risk for breast cancer but does not guarantee that you will get it, and even if the genetic test does not show the added risk for cancer, you may still get cancer and you should still practice routine breast exams and get mammograms!. It does not black-and-white guarantee anything, it just shows if you are at a higher risk than the general population!.
I'd like to make a comment about the thumb down's in this forum though!.
In a forum where people look for answers regarding serious life and death questions, seeing so many thumb down's will make them likely to assume the answer is wrong and may put them at risk of not following crucial advice!.
This is clearly the work of a troll that would put other's lives, their dignity and any common sense on a shelf in order to carry out a personal vendetta against a member of the Cancer boards!.
I'm ashamed, considering that the premises for this vendetta are completely childish and false to begin with!. If at least there was a good reason to behave this way in a messageboard where many only wish to console one another during one of the hardest times in their lives!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I've noticed that thumb down thing too!. It started all of a sudden!. I didn't see you have a disagreement with anyone but when all of the answers are good, and one gets a bunch of thumbs down and the others a bunch of thumbs up, it's obvious that you're being targeted!.
Knowing you from outside YA, I know the only part that bothers you is that someone might think your answer is incorrect when actually, someone is just being childish!.
I think someone is jealous of you and your good answers!. ;-)Www@Answer-Health@Com
Knowing you from outside YA, I know the only part that bothers you is that someone might think your answer is incorrect when actually, someone is just being childish!.
I think someone is jealous of you and your good answers!. ;-)Www@Answer-Health@Com