DNA tests for medical tendancies

Not all DNA tests are created equal.  There are limits on what can be found out via tests (depending on which test you are talking about).  The U.S. had limited 23 & Me at one point in terms of the medical reports generated from the tests.  (Not sure if you were looking at FTDNA, Ancestry, 23 & Me type tests, or going more for getting doctor's to do more specific science tests.)

I have done all the tests at Ancestry and FTDNA, neither of which report medical information to the person taking the test, and neither required needles. I did them solely for family tree research.  Swab (FTDNA) and saliva (Ancestry).  23 and me is also just saliva.  The things they test for are:

https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/

Some other information on gene testing.

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/geneticsandcancer/

As to needles or a colonscopy, I would kill to have a chance to rollback and have a needle or being prodded again a bit earlier if it would have avoided all this  No doubt about it.  Based on how mine developed, it looked to be quick and probably not would have changed things, but....  So make sure you let your daughter know a needle is no big deal  

kmygil said:

Needles

Tell your daughter to take a valium and do it.  After my oncologist read my family history he suggested a DNA test.  Turns out my family carries HNPCC (Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer aka. Lynch Syndrome.)  Both of my siblings tested positive, as well, and I have alerted the rest of my family to get tested.  I have had colon and uterine cancer and hope not to get any of the other associated cancers.  We don't get polyps, we just get the cancer.  

Lynch syndrome, often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer, particularly cancers of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, which are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer. People with Lynch syndrome also have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin. Additionally, women with this disorder have a high risk of cancer of the ovaries and lining of the uterus (the endometrium). People with Lynch syndrome may occasionally have noncancerous (benign) growths (polyps) in the colon, called colon polyps. In individuals with this disorder, colon polyps occur earlier but not in greater numbers than they do in the general population.

Without this initial test none of the rest of my family would have been tested either.  So far several other family members have tested positive.  

Early colonoscopies are indicated for people who carry certain genetic markers.  I was 49, but my cousin who was not diagnosed until too late was 40.  I have lost family to colon, kidney, and stomach cancers.  Ergo, have her take the valium and get tested. 

Hugs.

Or "Does a BS degree in BS matter?"

Ok.... wake up call: There is no known cure for cancer.

To date, there is just enough data to fight cancer by treating it as a "chronic disease". The tumor is located, isolated (as best possible) and removed. It's like the carnival game "Whack-a-Mole". There is no ability to date, for any technology to isolate or identify a single cell that is about to begin a new life using the fermentation process. If it can not be identified, it can not be isolated and can not be safely targeted; any attack taken affects all cells within reach, good or bad.

As several politicians claimed: "To rid the earth of ISIS, just carpet bomb the entire earth with nuclear force". It makes as much sense as chemical bombing your entire body in an attempt to get rid of a claim of having cancer cells they can't see or identify.

Getting tested for obvious signs of possible cancer is important. If cancer is indicated and located early enough, the outcome can be very, very different. I'll provide one (personal) example:

I have 1' of colon that was left behind after a major colon resection. That section is medically called "a rectal stump"; it remains connected to the rectum, anus, etc, but serves no useful purpose as it had been disconnected (stapled shut) inside my body in 2006. "Left in", just in case there would ever be a chance for a reconnection.

Years later (2014~2015) I began experiencing more than normal expulsion of mucus. The amount of discharge grew as time passed. I saw my gastroenterologist at three month intervals (she was like a friend). At each visit I had explained the increased discharge and the new indication of blood. At each visit I asked for a sigmoidoscopy, and each time I was told that the discharge, including blood, was a normal event of a rectal stump degenerating (dying) due to a lack of nutrients passing through the section; it was starving to death........ No scope was necessary, since it was a normal occurrence.

In 2015 I was rushed into the ER due to some sort of a urinary blockage. I am prone to kidney stones, but this felt 1,000xs worse. After X-rays, scans, sonograms and a scope, they found the reason...... My urinary blockage was due to a major tumor that had grown from inside the rectal stump, into the bladder and was pressing on the ureters. They placed bilateral Nephrostomy tubes (one into each kidney) for drainage.

If I had been provided a sigmoidoscopy (like a colonoscopy) when I first asked, that tumor would have been found. And that tumor could have been removed while it was small enough to remove, through the anus/rectum, saving my bladder and anything else (prostate, rectum, more) that it has now grown into.

No, it would not have "cured" my cancer, or it's likely eventual outcome of death, but it certainly would have extended my life. Leaving a tumor to grow uncontrolled should be unlawful. No physician should deny any patient proper care when a patient asks for it. Insurance or no insurance, a physician should become a physician to serve mankind. If the choice to become a physician is based on the Lexus model available, or the quality of beachfront he will be able to own, the license to practice should be denied.............

In a "perfect world" such legislation would not be required...

My tumor has not been operated on as yet. The original surgeon did not feel chemo/rad was necessary - "serves no useful purpose", he said.  Out on medical leave, his "stand-in" said that the tumor board suggests chemo/rad and unless I consent, he would not operate. Original surgeon and one other (2nd opinion), confirmed that chemo/rad was of no use and could cause other problems in my situation (the facility he is a member of will not tackle a major operation that this "may" end up being; he is not able to be my surgeon).

I had stopped TCM and herbal remedies for cancer in 2008/9 because all scans etc indicated a total absence of any cancer. All tests were negative until the tumor in 2015 and that would have been found a year prior had a requested scope been provided. (In Asia, they inject the herbal decoction directly into the tumor; it is not permitted here in USA)

So the bottom line? If any problem is suspected, or even to be "just on the safe side" regarding a symptom you are experiencing; as long as the test will not cause you to any damage or harm (physical or emotional) demand a test that may better tell you about that symptom you are experiencing.

Insist on a test if you feel you need one; it is YOUR life you're dealing with.

If you're concerned about someone else refusing tests, please try to keep in mind that it is THEIR life, not yours. Let them lead their life. Provide all the info they can use to be as well educated as possible, but please let them make their own choices. There's a fine line between "love" and "respect"; don't grey that line.

Best wishes,

John

John23 said:

The art of consuming reading material....

Or "Does a BS degree in BS matter?"

Ok.... wake up call: There is no known cure for cancer.

To date, there is just enough data to fight cancer by treating it as a "chronic disease". The tumor is located, isolated (as best possible) and removed. It's like the carnival game "Whack-a-Mole". There is no ability to date, for any technology to isolate or identify a single cell that is about to begin a new life using the fermentation process. If it can not be identified, it can not be isolated and can not be safely targeted; any attack taken affects all cells within reach, good or bad.

As several politicians claimed: "To rid the earth of ISIS, just carpet bomb the entire earth with nuclear force". It makes as much sense as chemical bombing your entire body in an attempt to get rid of a claim of having cancer cells they can't see or identify.

Getting tested for obvious signs of possible cancer is important. If cancer is indicated and located early enough, the outcome can be very, very different. I'll provide one (personal) example:

I have 1' of colon that was left behind after a major colon resection. That section is medically called "a rectal stump"; it remains connected to the rectum, anus, etc, but serves no useful purpose as it had been disconnected (stapled shut) inside my body in 2006. "Left in", just in case there would ever be a chance for a reconnection.

Years later (2014~2015) I began experiencing more than normal expulsion of mucus. The amount of discharge grew as time passed. I saw my gastroenterologist at three month intervals (she was like a friend). At each visit I had explained the increased discharge and the new indication of blood. At each visit I asked for a sigmoidoscopy, and each time I was told that the discharge, including blood, was a normal event of a rectal stump degenerating (dying) due to a lack of nutrients passing through the section; it was starving to death........ No scope was necessary, since it was a normal occurrence.

In 2015 I was rushed into the ER due to some sort of a urinary blockage. I am prone to kidney stones, but this felt 1,000xs worse. After X-rays, scans, sonograms and a scope, they found the reason...... My urinary blockage was due to a major tumor that had grown from inside the rectal stump, into the bladder and was pressing on the ureters. They placed bilateral Nephrostomy tubes (one into each kidney) for drainage.

If I had been provided a sigmoidoscopy (like a colonoscopy) when I first asked, that tumor would have been found. And that tumor could have been removed while it was small enough to remove, through the anus/rectum, saving my bladder and anything else (prostate, rectum, more) that it has now grown into.

No, it would not have "cured" my cancer, or it's likely eventual outcome of death, but it certainly would have extended my life. Leaving a tumor to grow uncontrolled should be unlawful. No physician should deny any patient proper care when a patient asks for it. Insurance or no insurance, a physician should become a physician to serve mankind. If the choice to become a physician is based on the Lexus model available, or the quality of beachfront he will be able to own, the license to practice should be denied.............

In a "perfect world" such legislation would not be required...

My tumor has not been operated on as yet. The original surgeon did not feel chemo/rad was necessary - "serves no useful purpose", he said.  Out on medical leave, his "stand-in" said that the tumor board suggests chemo/rad and unless I consent, he would not operate. Original surgeon and one other (2nd opinion), confirmed that chemo/rad was of no use and could cause other problems in my situation (the facility he is a member of will not tackle a major operation that this "may" end up being; he is not able to be my surgeon).

I had stopped TCM and herbal remedies for cancer in 2008/9 because all scans etc indicated a total absence of any cancer. All tests were negative until the tumor in 2015 and that would have been found a year prior had a requested scope been provided. (In Asia, they inject the herbal decoction directly into the tumor; it is not permitted here in USA)

So the bottom line? If any problem is suspected, or even to be "just on the safe side" regarding a symptom you are experiencing; as long as the test will not cause you to any damage or harm (physical or emotional) demand a test that may better tell you about that symptom you are experiencing.

Insist on a test if you feel you need one; it is YOUR life you're dealing with.

If you're concerned about someone else refusing tests, please try to keep in mind that it is THEIR life, not yours. Let them lead their life. Provide all the info they can use to be as well educated as possible, but please let them make their own choices. There's a fine line between "love" and "respect"; don't grey that line.

Best wishes,

John

 

I should go and count how many of your posts I have saved. 

God bless! Or Good vibes! You must go nowhere (as in dying). What on earth would our forum be like without your posts?!!

Thank you! Thank you! and Thank you again! 

TRU

I'm sure my obit will say nothing about cancer or whatever finally gets me, because the facts of my existence are not sharing space with the crap that takes me down........................................................Dave