For most people, when you hear the news you are immediately thrown into a reactive state but what about those that are having genetic testing done? Many of us have even had genetic testing done since diagnosis due to factors that make it compelling to find an answer. I have spent time thinking about this as I knew I had cancer when I had the testing done and discussed it with my family (including my daughter) and what their thoughts would be in relationship to the testing. It threw me a bit backwards when I stopped to think that my own mother died of Alzheimer's and that I could have genetic testing done to see what I might be facing there. I adamantly said no, I did not want tested because there was nothing that I really could do with the information to make it different. I knew right off that I would not want to know that I could be facing Alzheimer's and yet I was counseling others about breast cancer genetic testing. Was I being a false in denying my own future? After some thought, I came to the decision as I had previously held that is everyone's right but yet I had a more compelling story for those looking at possibly carrying the breast cancer gene. The bottom line is, there is something that you can do about it whether that is a prophylactic mastectomy or possibly more aggressive cancer screening for the rest of their lives. If I could step back before my diagnosis and knew that this was where it was leading, I am pretty sure (NO) I am positive I would have navigated the possibilities. That being said, taking control of my future would have proved beneficial not only medically but also emotionally and any other way you can think of. I will say that my genetic testing related to the breast cancer was negative and I was pleased to share that with my family. The Alzheimer's is a wait and see...and pray! I hope that others wi
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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