I just went in to get tested for the BRCA genes. Results in 6-8 weeks. Fingers crossed it comes back negative.

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

What was the wife thinking? She had to know what was coming.

Anonymous wrote:My mother tested positive for the BRCA gene when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in her late 50s. All of her doctors were shocked it took so long for her to get breast cancer, as most women who carry the gene get it earlier. We have a lot of breast cancer in the family, including five of my great-aunts who died of it (my grandfather was one of 14 kids); undoubtedly some of them were also BRCA carriers. She'd already had a double mastectomy, but she got her ovaries removed after the test, too. I had a 50/50 chance of being BRCA positive based on her result and elected to get myself tested right away. I had a newborn at the time, and felt that I had to know if I also carried the gene. I'm negative, thankfully, but if it had come back positive, I would have gotten a prophylactic double mastectomy and ovary removal once our family was complete. I still have to be monitored closely due to strong family history and will undergo additional genetic testing if it becomes available.

Did you consider adoption so as to not pass on the gene?

My mother tested positive for the BRCA gene when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in her late 50s. All of her doctors were shocked it took so long for her to get breast cancer, as most women who carry the gene get it earlier. We have a lot of breast cancer in the family, including five of my great-aunts who died of it (my grandfather was one of 14 kids); undoubtedly some of them were also BRCA carriers. She'd already had a double mastectomy, but she got her ovaries removed after the test, too. I had a 50/50 chance of being BRCA positive based on her result and elected to get myself tested right away. I had a newborn at the time, and felt that I had to know if I also carried the gene. I'm negative, thankfully, but if it had come back positive, I would have gotten a prophylactic double mastectomy and ovary removal once our family was complete. I still have to be monitored closely due to strong family history and will undergo additional genetic testing if it becomes available.

My company has sent me to the David Drew clinic twice for Executive Physicals and they do genetic testing based on family history.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

Wow the dad was irresponsible and probably thought he had gotten away with it.

I didn't read the article, but I would have thought a surprise half-sibling would have been due to the mom's cheating. LOL

That's why you should read the article before commenting. The father cheated which resulted in a son. That son also did the genetic testing and the company allows you to see family matches.

He was also put up for adoption and didn't know much about his bio parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

Wow the dad was irresponsible and probably thought he had gotten away with it.

I didn't read the article, but I would have thought a surprise half-sibling would have been due to the mom's cheating. LOL

That's why you should read the article before commenting. The father cheated which resulted in a son. That son also did the genetic testing and the company allows you to see family matches.

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

which is why i've always supported paternity testing to be hard printed/coded on an birth certificate.

My mother did the testing, but only because her mother died young of breast cancer, and other relatives on that side also had had cancers that can be related.

One thing to think about: genetic tests are looking for specific known genes that can make people susceptible for cancer. We can't test for all of them, and we can't test for non-genetically linked diseases. I think there can be a false sense of security in getting "good" results on such a test, because it doesn't mean you are guaranteed good health!

In your situation, I'd focus on healthy habits and not spend money on genetic testing.

Anonymous wrote:

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

Wow the dad was irresponsible and probably thought he had gotten away with it.

I didn't read the article, but I would have thought a surprise half-sibling would have been due to the mom's cheating. LOL

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

Wow the dad was irresponsible and probably thought he had gotten away with it.

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

These are two different things. The genetics professor (and his family) opted in to a program 23+me offers to find relatives. You can certainly test without this option.

I'm looking into it, but my mother died of ovarian cancer, and her mother from breast cancer. Actually, I will probably remove my ovary (lost one to a cyst a few years ago) without testing. I have a referral to a gynecological oncologist to get things started. Without a first degree relative with cancer, I don't think kid consider it.

An article that shows you may want to be careful what you ask for -

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme

A genetics professor got his family to all do the test together and they unexpectedly identified a half-sibling that was the result of parental cheating.

What do you all think about genetic testing for cancer? While I don't know anyone in my family who has died of cancer I'm originally from a 3rd world country so we may have had relatives die from it and it was undiagnosed. My father recently passed away (he was old) and my mother and her father are still alive. Her mother died when she was young "by poison" my mother said.