Re: Re: genetic testing

[Guest guest]

Shari

I am in full agreement with you. My genetic testing presented me with a higher

than average chance of reoccurance. I chose based on the information from the

genetic testing to have both of my breast removed lowering my reoccur to 5% as

opposed to 85% or higher. In my family case we think the gene came from my

mother's father's side of the family.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Shari

I am in full agreement with you. My genetic testing presented me with a higher

than average chance of reoccurance. I chose based on the information from the

genetic testing to have both of my breast removed lowering my reoccur to 5% as

opposed to 85% or higher. In my family case we think the gene came from my

mother's father's side of the family.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Shari,

I am wondering how your genetic testing played a role in deciding not to do

chemo? Did you not have the gene then? Can you expound on that a little? I am

considering not doing radiation either. I'm just weighing my options. A study

in TX showed that women who had a history or were presently smokers were really

playing with fire in having radiation to the breast.

Thanks,

Elle

Shari wrote:

I too had genetic testing. Which came back negative. At the time, I

was not sure of whether to be relieved or not. If I did have the gene, then I

had a reason why I had BC. But if no gene then my daughters should be ok, but

then what caused this?

My Dr's wanted me to do Chemo. I used the result of this test, a CT & PET scan

and talked alot with my Dr about percentages of recurrance to decide on my

treatment. I chose not to do chemo but did do radiation.

Having done this test, helped me in my decision making process.

I have a cousin who was in a study and had genetic testing done. No history of

any cancer but just a curious sort. She was saying how so many of the

participants did not want to know the results of theri testing. I just cannot

understand this. THe results can save someones life.

Re: genetic testing

Hello

I have had the genetic testing. My doctors used the results to determine

how agressive my treatment would need to be. As for me the results gave

me clarity on my decision to what needed to be done.

-- In breastcancer2 , " snyder_tami "

wrote:

>

> Has anyone gone for this testing? The Dr. wants me to have this done

> because there is no family history with me.

> I also went to the Dr. Friday and my chest is healing with the

> packing, I am to start chemo Jan.4th (if I 'm healed by then)6

> treatments 1 every 3 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Shari,

I am wondering how your genetic testing played a role in deciding not to do

chemo? Did you not have the gene then? Can you expound on that a little? I am

considering not doing radiation either. I'm just weighing my options. A study

in TX showed that women who had a history or were presently smokers were really

playing with fire in having radiation to the breast.

Thanks,

Elle

Shari wrote:

I too had genetic testing. Which came back negative. At the time, I

was not sure of whether to be relieved or not. If I did have the gene, then I

had a reason why I had BC. But if no gene then my daughters should be ok, but

then what caused this?

My Dr's wanted me to do Chemo. I used the result of this test, a CT & PET scan

and talked alot with my Dr about percentages of recurrance to decide on my

treatment. I chose not to do chemo but did do radiation.

Having done this test, helped me in my decision making process.

I have a cousin who was in a study and had genetic testing done. No history of

any cancer but just a curious sort. She was saying how so many of the

participants did not want to know the results of theri testing. I just cannot

understand this. THe results can save someones life.

Re: genetic testing

Hello

I have had the genetic testing. My doctors used the results to determine

how agressive my treatment would need to be. As for me the results gave

me clarity on my decision to what needed to be done.

-- In breastcancer2 , " snyder_tami "

wrote:

>

> Has anyone gone for this testing? The Dr. wants me to have this done

> because there is no family history with me.

> I also went to the Dr. Friday and my chest is healing with the

> packing, I am to start chemo Jan.4th (if I 'm healed by then)6

> treatments 1 every 3 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Shari,

I am wondering how your genetic testing played a role in deciding not to do

chemo? Did you not have the gene then? Can you expound on that a little? I am

considering not doing radiation either. I'm just weighing my options. A study

in TX showed that women who had a history or were presently smokers were really

playing with fire in having radiation to the breast.

Thanks,

Elle

Shari wrote:

I too had genetic testing. Which came back negative. At the time, I

was not sure of whether to be relieved or not. If I did have the gene, then I

had a reason why I had BC. But if no gene then my daughters should be ok, but

then what caused this?

My Dr's wanted me to do Chemo. I used the result of this test, a CT & PET scan

and talked alot with my Dr about percentages of recurrance to decide on my

treatment. I chose not to do chemo but did do radiation.

Having done this test, helped me in my decision making process.

I have a cousin who was in a study and had genetic testing done. No history of

any cancer but just a curious sort. She was saying how so many of the

participants did not want to know the results of theri testing. I just cannot

understand this. THe results can save someones life.

Re: genetic testing

Hello

I have had the genetic testing. My doctors used the results to determine

how agressive my treatment would need to be. As for me the results gave

me clarity on my decision to what needed to be done.

-- In breastcancer2 , " snyder_tami "

wrote:

>

> Has anyone gone for this testing? The Dr. wants me to have this done

> because there is no family history with me.

> I also went to the Dr. Friday and my chest is healing with the

> packing, I am to start chemo Jan.4th (if I 'm healed by then)6

> treatments 1 every 3 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

HI Elle,

My genetic testing proved I did NOT have any of the genes. I am Jewish and

apparently there is a specific gene they look for in those who are Ashkenazie

Jews. Once they determined I did not have the jewish gene they went on to look

for the BRCA1 & 2 genes. Again I did not have them.

Yes, I was told I should have chemo & radiation (all precautionary) and I am on

Tamoxifen. I was truly uneasy about the chemo part. I have read about many who

have ended up with secondary cancers (leukemia for one) as a result of chemo.

I researched alot. I read books, the internet, magazines (CURE mag is great)

and I spoke with my oncologist several times (on the phone and in person) right

up until the thursday before I was to start chemo on monday.

I had a PET scan which proved it had not gone anywhere else. And a CT to confirm

this finding.

I had a 2cm tumor with clear margins upon removal. 4 Lymph nodes removed were

negative.

I found in one of the books I was given by my Dr a graph to that indicates why

dr's choose which treatment one should do. With this information I went to see

my Onc again and asked for percentages of recurrance. This is what she told me.

Nothing past surgery - 30-40% of recurrance

Tamoxifen (er/pr +) - drops down to 15-20 %

Add Chemo - only goes down to about 10%

I was also thinking to just do Herceptin and bypass the AC/Taxol mix - it was

13%

I did choose to do radiation - not sure what this drops the percentages down to.

With this information, I decided the difference of 5-10 percent was not

substantial enough for me to be ill for a period of one year if I had done all

intended.

Now, if I had any result other than I did with PET & CT or genetic testing, I

would have looked at this very differently.

As my Dr explains it, I had a broken cell.

Shari

Re: genetic testing

Hello

I have had the genetic testing. My doctors used the results to determine

how agressive my treatment would need to be. As for me the results gave

me clarity on my decision to what needed to be done.

-- In breastcancer2 , " snyder_tami "

wrote:

>

> Has anyone gone for this testing? The Dr. wants me to have this done

> because there is no family history with me.

> I also went to the Dr. Friday and my chest is healing with the

> packing, I am to start chemo Jan.4th (if I 'm healed by then)6

> treatments 1 every 3 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Shari,

thanks for the explanation. That makes a lot of sense. I had read that about

Ashkenazie Jews on one of the cancer websites I was reading. I think that I

will do the BRCA1 and 2 testing. My 30 year old daughter is so bothered by her

grandmother and I having breast cancer that she is ready to have a double

mastectomy with reconstruction and I don't like that idea for her. Maybe if we

don't have the gene, she will reconsider. If we do, then I will reconsider.

Yes, I understand the concept of the broken cell. I am interested in the idea

also that cancer is a systemic abnormality and bumps and lumps are just a

manifestation of that abnormality. If that were the case, what I just did in

removing the lump would be quite insufficient. As would radiation to make sure

the lumps did not come back in that one particular area.

I don't know, call me a skeptic, but once I have all the information I think

that I need, a decision will be easier. I never have been the type to just leave

my decisions up to someone else, the lumpectomy was a knee jerk reaction out of

fear. Now that the fear has settled some, I want some info. Lots of it. <smile>

I wish the doctors weren't in such a hurry for me to do something.

I also know of others that have ended up with not only secondary cancers but

usually minor illnesses that became major due to a compromised immune system,

but that speaks to chemo more than radiation.

I will be like you, though asking questions, getting stats etc right up to

the last minute. Thank you for your input on how you made your decision. That

helps.

Elle

Shari wrote:

HI Elle,

My genetic testing proved I did NOT have any of the genes. I am Jewish and

apparently there is a specific gene they look for in those who are Ashkenazie

Jews. Once they determined I did not have the jewish gene they went on to look

for the BRCA1 & 2 genes. Again I did not have them.

Yes, I was told I should have chemo & radiation (all precautionary) and I am on

Tamoxifen. I was truly uneasy about the chemo part. I have read about many who

have ended up with secondary cancers (leukemia for one) as a result of chemo.

I researched alot. I read books, the internet, magazines (CURE mag is great) and

I spoke with my oncologist several times (on the phone and in person) right up

until the thursday before I was to start chemo on monday.

I had a PET scan which proved it had not gone anywhere else. And a CT to confirm

this finding.

I had a 2cm tumor with clear margins upon removal. 4 Lymph nodes removed were

negative.

I found in one of the books I was given by my Dr a graph to that indicates why

dr's choose which treatment one should do. With this information I went to see

my Onc again and asked for percentages of recurrance. This is what she told me.

Nothing past surgery - 30-40% of recurrance

Tamoxifen (er/pr +) - drops down to 15-20 %

Add Chemo - only goes down to about 10%

I was also thinking to just do Herceptin and bypass the AC/Taxol mix - it was

13%

I did choose to do radiation - not sure what this drops the percentages down to.

With this information, I decided the difference of 5-10 percent was not

substantial enough for me to be ill for a period of one year if I had done all

intended.

Now, if I had any result other than I did with PET & CT or genetic testing, I

would have looked at this very differently.

As my Dr explains it, I had a broken cell.

Shari

Re: genetic testing

Hello

I have had the genetic testing. My doctors used the results to determine

how agressive my treatment would need to be. As for me the results gave

me clarity on my decision to what needed to be done.

-- In breastcancer2 , " snyder_tami "

wrote:

>

> Has anyone gone for this testing? The Dr. wants me to have this done

> because there is no family history with me.

> I also went to the Dr. Friday and my chest is healing with the

> packing, I am to start chemo Jan.4th (if I 'm healed by then)6

> treatments 1 every 3 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

Oh yes, excuse me for not posting that.

Effects of smoking and radiotherapy on lung carcinoma in breast carcinoma

survivors.

Ford MB, Sigurdson AJ, Petrulis ES, Ng CS, Kemp B, Cooksley C, McNeese M, Selwyn

BJ, Spitz MR, Bondy ML.

Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M. D. Cancer

Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

It is also posted on this site:

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/smokradther.html

I hope that I am not breaking any rules by posting a link. Please let me know

if I am.

Elle

marisa wrote:

- " ... A study in TX showed that women who had a history or were

presently smokers were really playing with fire in having radiation to

the breast. "

>

> Thanks,

>

> Elle

>

do you have a cite?

marisa

---------------------------------

Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

[Guest guest]

Oh yes, excuse me for not posting that.

Effects of smoking and radiotherapy on lung carcinoma in breast carcinoma

survivors.

Ford MB, Sigurdson AJ, Petrulis ES, Ng CS, Kemp B, Cooksley C, McNeese M, Selwyn

BJ, Spitz MR, Bondy ML.

Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M. D. Cancer

Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

It is also posted on this site:

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/smokradther.html

I hope that I am not breaking any rules by posting a link. Please let me know

if I am.

Elle

marisa wrote:

- " ... A study in TX showed that women who had a history or were

presently smokers were really playing with fire in having radiation to

the breast. "

>

> Thanks,

>

> Elle

>

do you have a cite?

marisa

---------------------------------

Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.