genetic testing

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Moesimo
Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I went to Dana Farber today for the results of my genetic testing. I do not have the colon cancer gene. I am relieved to know that I will not pass this horrible disease on to my children.

Moe

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  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
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    Moe - what good news. Tell me more about this testing. I'm the first in my family to have any kind of cancer that we know of, but still I worry about my two kids and what their future might be.

    Betsy
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
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    Betsydoglover said:

    Moe - what good news. Tell me more about this testing. I'm the first in my family to have any kind of cancer that we know of, but still I worry about my two kids and what their future might be.

    Betsy

    Betsy,

    Most colon cancers are diagnopsed after 50, but we both know from visiting this site that there are many of us younger than 50. I was 46 when diagnosed and noone in my large familar had colon cancer. So I decide to have genetic testing done. The tumor was tested for a certain gene. Mine was negative. If I had the gene my kids would have an 80% chance of getting cancer. I am glad i did it. There are pros and cons to both sides. i just didn't want them to go through what i did.

    Maureen
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
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    That is excellent news.
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #5
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    Moe!
    Yay! I'm so happy for you and your family. I had genetic counselling. They said based on the family history it's unlikely mine is genetic, but i may bite the bullet and have them test the specimen from my initial colonoscopy. They think there's enough there to work with. They said they couldn't use the tumor that was removed suring the surgery because of the radiation damage. I have a little time to work with, because even if, god forbid, it was genetic they would recommend Lauren get tested at age 25. She's 21 now. I know it's silly but i'm actually waiting to see if insurance will cover the visit i had. I want to know if i'll have to pay for the testing so i can plan my finances.
    So happy for you!
    Mary
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #6
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    Whew! So glad to hear the negative results. BUT - make sure your kids know to get screened (colonoscopy) 10 years before you were diagnosed.

    I also have NO risk factors... and made all my siblings get colonscopy, but I am still working on my little brother.

    Have wonderful holidays!! jana
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #7
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    goldfinch said:

    Moe!
    Yay! I'm so happy for you and your family. I had genetic counselling. They said based on the family history it's unlikely mine is genetic, but i may bite the bullet and have them test the specimen from my initial colonoscopy. They think there's enough there to work with. They said they couldn't use the tumor that was removed suring the surgery because of the radiation damage. I have a little time to work with, because even if, god forbid, it was genetic they would recommend Lauren get tested at age 25. She's 21 now. I know it's silly but i'm actually waiting to see if insurance will cover the visit i had. I want to know if i'll have to pay for the testing so i can plan my finances.
    So happy for you!
    Mary

    Mary,

    I was lucky because my insurance co. paid for the testing. I too was told that it was unlikely that my Ca would be genetic. I wanted to know so they would be watched more closely. Two of my kids have already been scoped and the other is only 17.

    I hope that you are tolerating the chemo OK. I think of you often.

    Moe
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #8
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    That is fabulous news, Maureen. Enjoy your holiday.

    Hugs,

    Kay

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