Monday, March 17, 2008
Would you want to know?
I had a strange dream last night. I dreamt I was taking a genetic test to see if I had certain cancer genes. For some reason, I wanted to know if I was more likely to get cancer. Wierd. But it got me thinking. Would I really take the test if I knew cancer ran in our family? I know Aunt Carol and Aunt Liz have both had cancer (breast and cervical I think), but I don't think it's really very prevelant in our family. Or is it? So, would you want to know if you had the gene?
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11 comments:
Well, I think my breasts and my cervix are fine, but yes, I would absolutely want to know. -Jess
Ha ha funny funny Jess. Yeah I think that it would be great to know if cancer were a possible gene in me... If that makes any sense to you because it sure does to me... That's kind of strange that you had a dream about that Chelsey.
I would want to know so I could prepare my life insurance accordingly.
There is so much cancer in my family, it's ridiculous. I don't think I would have to take a test to see if I have the genes - I most likely do!
This is a two-edged sword. It would be nice to know (I like Michelle's life insurance idea) but at the same time knowing that you have a gene or set of genes that predisposes you to cancer would be somewhat nerve wracking. From a nerdy, scientist point of view, it is important to realize that we are more than just a bag of genes. Just because we carry a genetic mutation that is known to cause cancer doesn't mean that we will necessarily get cancer.
And yes, Jess, I think your cervix will be fine. However, men do die of breast cancer. That one would be hard to explain to the guys down at the gym. I can just see a group of guys sitting around the locker room comparing scars from ACL repairs, shoulder surgery, and the spot where the moron shot a nail through his hand with a nail gun at work. When your turn comes around you proudly show off your mastectomy scar. How much do you want to bet that the guys would leave a bra in your locker the next day? I don't mean to make light of such a devastating disease but breast cancer just isn't very masculine.
I wonder why you wouldn't want to know. I think Jason has a good point though about having the gene doesnt't mean you will get it and therefore, just cause unnecessary worry. But yes, I would want to know.
I'm aware that men can get breast cancer (I won't, however get cervical or uterine cancer...phew!). In fact, a guy in our ward just last week had a masectomy on one of his man-boobs (they were large -- he could have used a "bro").
I would want to know about any possible genetic tendencies for simple preparation purposes. I think the shock of finding out you have cancer would be a lot worse than finding out you have the gene that indicates you are at a heightened risk. Knowledge is power.
For example, knowing about diabetes and how it has a following in our family could influence our decisions now. The fact that dad has to take an insulin shot before every meal now should cause us take steps now to minimize the chance of getting diabetes. -Jester
Well, look at Spina Bifida. Had I known anything at all about folic acid, I would have taken that silly little pill for 30 years without hesitation. Even though we don't know the full reason why or the full effect of taking it, we do know that it helps. Who wouldn't do whatever they could to prevent the pain of a child? Now that all of you know about it and the need to take folic acid (women - or Jess if you want to), why wouldn't you? If you could prevent the costly, painful birth defect, why wouldn't you? So, if I can prevent diabetes, why wouldn't I? My mother's family was full of diabetes and so is Jim's.
I would rather know any day than choose to remain in ignorance so I wouldn't have to think about it.
I know that Jim could die of a stroke or heart attack at any time, but I can't really do much about that -- and I've learned to move on and live my life even with that knowledge. I think it's much better to know than to ignore.
Mom
Ok, I guess my view is different than everyone else. I really wouldn't want to know. Now, I understand mom's point, but that's very different than cancer. I would want to know if something was wrong with the baby so I can prepare and/or prevent things. However, with cancer that's a different story. If I knew I had the gene, I would almost convince myself that I actually had cancer. Your mind is a very powerful thing and you can almost will yourself to get sick sometimes. I'm not saying you can will yourself to get cancer, but I would always worry every time I got sick. It's just unneccisary to know because if you have the gene, there's nothing you can do to prevent cancer from coming anyway. You could always change your eating habbits and make sure you get regular check ups from the doctor, but you should be doing that stuff anyway. If we all followed the word of wisdom a little better, we wouldn't have to change our life styles anyway. If we got cancer, that would just be one of the trials that we were meant to face in this life. So, why have the extra worry of knowing that you carry the gene, when there's nothing you can do to prevent it from coming anyway?
Lindsey
If you knew you had the gene you could get regular check ups and perhaps find the cancer at an early enough stage that it was treatable...rather than not knowing and risking finding the cancer at a stage that was too late to treat. It could mean a difference of many years of life. I say it would definitely be worth it.
Jen
but if you're getting regular check-ups like you should anyway, you'd find it early. You should also be checking yourself regulary too.
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