Posted on 06/18/2006 7:08:00 PM PDT by GunMage
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Mike Slabaugh doesn't have a stomach. Neither do his 10 cousins.
Growing up, they watched helplessly as a rare hereditary stomach cancer killed their grandmother and some of their parents, aunts and uncles.
Determined to outsmart the cancer, they turned to genetic testing. Upon learning they had inherited grandmother Golda Bradfield's flawed gene, they had two options: Risk the odds that they might not develop cancer, with a 70 percent chance they would; or have their stomachs removed.
The latter would mean a challenging life of eating very little, very often.
All the cousins chose the life-changing operation. Doctors say they're the largest family to have preventive surgery to protect themselves from hereditary stomach cancer.
"We're not only surviving, we're thriving," said Slabaugh 16 months after his operation at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto.
Advances in genetic testing are increasingly giving families with bad genes a chance to see the future, sometimes with the hope of pre-emptive action. People have had stomachs, breasts, ovaries, colons or thyroid glands removed when genetic tests showed they carried a defective gene that gave them a high risk of cancer.
But what about people whose families don't have these rare, but powerful genetic defects? Experts say that someday, doctors may do DNA tests as routinely as they check cholesterol levels now, spotting disease risks that can be lowered. That day isn't here yet, but progress is being made.
"We do not yet have a general DNA test that fits into that category, but we're headed for it at a pretty good clip," said Dr. Francis Collins, head of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
I don't know if I could stomach that kind of surgery.
I guess it's a good thing they weren't genetically predisposed to get brain tumors.
Or heart disease.
Or testicular cancer. I'd rather lose my heart.
Lol! A funny Freeper makes my day! :P
it would seem their kids and their kids kids ad nauseum, would also need to have the testing.
Insurance companys will catch on real quick....
I can't figure out if this is a good thing or not (removing body parts because of genetic testing, not whether you finally posted your first thread or not, lol). It seems radical and somewhat abusive, but if all those folks are OK with it, more power to them.
Peace of mind is a precious commodity.
That reminded me of this story...
Joe was moderately successful in the career, but as he got older he was increasingly hampered by incredible headaches. When his personal hygiene and love life started to suffer, he sought medical help.
After being referred from one specialist to another, he finally came across a doctor who solved the problem. "The good news is I can cure your headaches, the bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition which causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine. The pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."
Joe was shocked and depressed, but decided he had no choice but to go under the knife. After the operation, his mind was clear, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He walked past a men's clothing store and thought, "That's what I need, a new suit."
He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit." The salesman eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see, size 44 long?" Joe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?". "It's my job." replied the salesman. Joe tried on the suit, it fitted perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure!". The salesman eyed Joe then said, "Let's see, 34 sleeve and 16 and a half neck.". Joe was surprised, "That's right, how did you know?". "It's my job." came the familiar reply. Joe tried on the shirt, and it fitted perfectly. The salesman asked, "How about new shoes?". Joe was on a roll and agreed. The salesman eyed Joe's feet and said, "Let's see, nine-and-a-half?" Joe was astonished, "That's right, how did you know?". "It's my job." said the salesman again. Joe tried on the shoes and they fitted perfectly. He walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a second and said, "Sure, why not." The salesman stepped back, eyed Joe's waist and said, "Let's see, size 36." Joe laughed smugly, "No, I've worn size 34 since I was 18 years old."
The shocked salesman shook his head, "You can't possibly wear a size 34! It would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache!"
If the people with the genetic gliches don't have children, it will shrink the pool.
No not quite.
Eventually, dcotors will be able to fix genes that allow for cancer to develop.
It's going to happen.
LOL and for sure. . .What I don't understand is why they did not wait until the diagnosis for this stomach cancer. . .and then remove the stomach.
Meantime they could have tried various antidotes. . .or even been a taste case of sorts. . .half the family opps for not stomach. . .while the other half . .keeps theirs.
And would like to know more about how one thrives. . .without a stomach. . .
I hope that you're right!!!!!!!!!!
:-)
Me too.
If God will allow and work through the hands of the doctors & scientists........
Hmmm. . .a real slip of the tongue here. . .that was supposed to be 'test case'. . .but in the case of having one stomach removed. . .maybe 'taste case' works as well.
If one is predisposed to a certain cancer, and the body thinks its supposed to have cancer, won't the cancer go someplace else if the stomach isn't there?
Same with some women removing breast tissue before a tumor or bad cell is found.
I just have a real hard time thinking that removal of something removes the cancer before its there.
THAT'S funny!
Mmmm, chit'lins!
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