Is it in the Genes?

Amidst all the Doctor visits and procedures that required a trip to the local hospital, the Breast Doctor asked if there was interest in Genetic Testing. If I was, she would write and send the referral. She added that with my history, my mom had breast cancer, it might be prudent.

Ironically, I had the opportunity to have genetic testing in the late 1980s, which I mentioned.  The reason, I had waited till mid 30s to start a family.  The OB GYN said that due to my Advanced Maternal Age, I might want to do it.  I declined then.

Why did I decline in the 80s??  When he said  Advanced Maternal Age. I laughed.  My mom was 40 when she had me and 43 when she had my brother.  My grandparents seemed old when they had multiple children.

I did not decline now. I have three girls.  They were anxious to know. I am sure testing changed in the past 30 plus years.

With the Genetic Testing, the plus was the it required two meetings--the introduction/interview meeting and the second results appointment –both handled by TeleMed.  The one required trip was to the Lab for the blood test.  The first appointment, the Interview, was made and came with one bit of advice. . . .do not fill in any information you really did not know. 

Before the interview, the Genetic Counselor sent out a form to complete with a rough family tree-fathers side and mothers and my siblings.  Each side you required a relationship, age, age at death, and reason for death. My parents, both deceased, were from large families. My dad raised on the farm was near the youngest of his siblings and my mom the eldest. Bottom line, on my dad’s side, my cousins were the age of most parents, aunts and uncles.  They were dead as well. My mom’s side I was a little more familiar.

In addition to my family, the sister in law had genetic testing when she developed breast cancer. The result was negative for the Cancer gene—and breast cancer gene. I sent her genetic testing  to the Counselor as well.

I could complete my own siblings, spouses, children.  The rest of the form was pretty sketchy except for knowing they were aunts, uncles, on both sides.   I did send my siblings for any information they may have had.  My elder brother did have more answers.

Now remember, my parents were older when they had me, and they were from multiple siblings.  My dad had two brothers who lived fairly old –mid 70s—and died of lung cancer.  Yes, they were smokers—heavy.  They also spent their early 20s in the trenches of France in WWI, so mustard gas could have played a role.  The other surprise was to discover my mom had an older brother. He died in early 20s, in WWII in Italy.

Closer to home, I had a nephew who passed away young, drug overdose.  My father died of Leukemia, brought on by the medicine he was on for another illness.  My mom, had breast cancer, cervical cancer, and heart attack.

After submitting the forms, the Genetic Counselor established the TeleMed appointment.  At the appointed time, we reviewed my background. He then explained the next steps. He was going to send to my local lab of choice wither the local hospital or my doctors office and they would take a few vials of blood.  The vials are then mailed to the Lab for results, which should take about two weeks.

Interesting fact:   The blood tests were not sent to 23 and Me—I asked.  Only 5 major medical facilities in the United States perform the Genetic tests.  Thus the two week time lapse. 

I opted for the hospital trip on a Saturday morning. I figured early Saturday morning (Lab was open 6a-2p) would be a quick trip.  It was not.  Even early there was a line—maybe not as long as a Monday through Friday, but many patients were there.

The required box for the test was at the front desk.  Inside was more paperwork to sign off on that would be enclosed in the box with the vial and sent away.  After completing the required name, age, DOB, and Medicare questions, I was sent to a seat in the waiting room, where HGTV network was playing a house remodel. What else?

Called into the Lab, the tech took my blood. And I was through in minutes.  I called the family and said I would meet them for breakfast.

A few weeks later, the Genetic Counselor called.  The results:  No Breast cancer Gene or any other anomalies. He would send the results to me. Plus, with the history, he would suggest a baseline mammogram for each daughter at age 35.  The results and suggestion was immediately sent to the girls.

SO what caused the breast cancer?  I lived through Three Mile Island. I worked later at the Island. The deodorant I used? I had trouble breastfeeding one child.

Well, you cannot make yourself crazy trying to figure out why you are one of the Lucky 20% after the Strictly precautionary.

What you can do:  Get that Mammogram. Early detection can save lives.  Yours.