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Originally Posted by Ginmato
I’m trying to decide. There is a lot of cancer in my family. For years, doctors have been asking me about genetic testing. We all know we have a strong chance of getting cancer in my family. It’s starting to hit my generation now. A first cousin has bladder cancer. Most of us are vigilant and have started early screenings for various cancers. I don’t understand what genetic testing will do. I had blood drawn for tumor markers. They all came back negative. I do have CLL and see my oncologist every 6 months. I have a colonoscopy ever 3 years. I guess genetic testing would tell me definitively that I have the genes for certain cancers. What would I then do any differently? Maybe my doctors would treat me more aggressively when something comes up rather than with a wait and see attitude? They tell me my kids would benefit. If my blood tumor markers are negative ( which they were) and my gene tests are negative, it ends with me. My kids don’t have to worry and get tested beyond normal screenings that everyone should have at certain ages. Comments? Opinions? I’d appreciate them.
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I certainly can't speak for you, but if you want opinions, I am the type that believes it is always better to know more than less. Any testing at this point that my doctor wants I get done.
And yes, from what I understand a family history of cancer is definitely something that you want to pay attention to.
Good luck.