Cancer Runs in my Family, Should I get tested? (my story)

Of 8 first cousins in my family, 6 were diagnosed with cancer before they were in their 60’s and my father, brother and grandmother all died of cancer. For me this family history led me to want to know if I carried a gene that increased my risk of cancer and to be able to share this information with my children, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Family Picture from a Long Ago Vacation. (I love these guys)

In the United States 24.6 million people or 9.4% of the population have been diagnosed with cancer in 2017 (CDC FastStats, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/cancer.htm). About 10% of cancer cases can be directly linked to cancer genes.

With or without a genetic test, it makes sense to do self-exams and see your doctor for appropriate screening to improve the likelihood of catching and treating cancer earlier. Early diagnosis is associated with a better prognosis. There are also links between smoking, sun exposure, obesity and cancer. I can reduce my risk of cancer by not smoking, wearing sunscreen, and controlling my weight.

I worried about how the results of my cancer screening could be used, and if the results could affect my ability to get insurance. I learned that in 2008, Congress passed GINA (The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) which says that I can not be denied insurance because of the results of any genetic tests.

Finally, carrying a cancer gene does not mean that you will automatically get cancer and not carrying the gene does not eliminate risk. There seem to be multiple factors including environmental influences that determine if one gets cancer.

With my strong family history and a tendency to worry, my doctor suggested that I go ahead and have a cancer screening. We discussed that if the result was positive, I would speak to both my doctor and a genetic counselor about the best course of action. For me, a positive result would have meant that my doctor and I would be even more vigilant about regular medical screenings for cancer. Others whose risk for cancer is high (for example, Angelina Jolie) choose to have prophylactic surgery to remove the organs likely to be affected.

My test was done with a blood draw although there are newer tests that simply require that one swab the inside of the mouth and send the swab to a testing facility. In a few weeks I got my result learning that I did not carry a known cancer gene!

Relief is the first emotion that I felt on getting my results. I was also happy to pass the information on to my children. Since their mother didn’t carry a cancer gene, they knew they had not inherited one from me and their risk was reduced, yet like all of thus they should continue to make healthy choices and see their doctors for screenings.

I hope my negative result will help to reduce the worry in my family. Although it does not guarantee my nephews, nieces, and other relatives do not carry cancer genes it is a good reminder though that even in families with higher rates of cancer, each individual may or may not have inherited a gene.

I will encourage my family to speak to their doctors about getting a genetic test and using the results to evaluate their own risk. I will also remind them that no matter the results of the screening, healthy choices and regular medical check-ups are still key to preventing and detecting cancer early. My hope is with genetic screening and knowledge my family will be aware of their risks and do everything they can to live long and healthy lives.

As with all my recommendations, let me add a caveat here. We are all individuals and your doctor knows you better then anyone else. Do not change your doctors recommendations based on a blog. Also seek medical attention right away if you have any severe problems or reactions. If you need more answers or would like a personal consultation contact me at ashbyrx.com