Posted on 05/13/2013 10:08:45 PM PDT by CaptainK
MY MOTHER fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56. She held out long enough to meet the first of her grandchildren and to hold them in her arms. But my other children will never have the chance to know her and experience how loving and gracious she was.
We often speak of “Mommy’s mommy,” and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. They have asked if the same could happen to me. I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a “faulty” gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
It really wasn’t my choice but I’ll go for the lemonade.
Agree.
My wife at 50 years old was diagnosed with "stage zero" breast cancer. It was first identified by a mammogram, then she had a biopsy that showed cancerous cells in a lump. She underwent a radical mastectomy to avoid the assumed inevitable metastasis.
So far so good after 4 years...
I know doctors "suggest" that women with a family history of cancer of various forms undertake a radical mastectomy to avoid an undetectable growth of cancer. My wife had this conversation with her team of physicians. I can't fathom how this practice is sound science. It reminds me of blood letting to diminish an infection.
Spoken like a true dogg!
I’m with ya, there, pal. Roll them dice!
I am sorry to hear of your troubles.
Double mastectomy: A pre-emptive strike against breast cancer
At age 23, Lindsay Avner took charge of her genetic fate by electing to have her healthy breasts removed before cancer could strike first. Six years later, the North Side woman has zero regret, she said."I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity that generations of women before me never had," said Avner, who was 11 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, the same disease that claimed the lives of her grandmother, great-grandmother and others in her family tree.
So, when Avner tested positive for the gene mutation that increased her odds of becoming another victim, she opted for a double mastectomy. She was heralded as a "pioneer" by her physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
I think I would monitor the situation, and only resort to a mastectomy if cancer developed.
It seems premature and weird to me.
__________________________
Once cancer developed sometimes even a double mastectomy won’t help.
While not a huge number, the numbers of women opting for this solution when they know there’s a strong history of breast cancer AND they carry the gene are growing all the time.
Very personal choice, but with Angelina Jolie’s doctor saying 87% chance, I’d say she made the right choice. She has all those kids to think of.
Prayers for all on this thread.
My Mother-in-Law's also went to her brain, spine, and lymph nodes. Even though she was being monitored for breast cancer when she didn't have it, when it showed up it was like a wild fire. Within a year it was in her brain, spine, bones, lymph and then she was gone. I also lost my grandmother and great aunt as well.
Honestly it is nice to see a woman talk about breast cancer that is completely unrelated to the Koman Foundation and their ties to giving money to Planned Parenthood. It has sort of shut me off from talking about the issue overall.
But Angie's contribution is personal and devoid to politics. Knowing she too lost a Mother that way makes it even more moving.
Take care! :) Thanks for posting.
Yes. Prayers for all! :)
Cancer is an odd thing.
Like I said, it took my Grand Father in 6 months (pancreatic)
My cousin had Leukemia and she was able to finish college, get married, and raise two daughters before it caught her.
My Childhood best friend got some odd one that only 16 people in the world had.
MD Anderson saved him. He is now THE case study.
it isn’t hardly like blood letting. where there is no science behind blood letting - apart from leeches around massive brusing and swelling - there is behind this is based on a certain gene that incredibly increases chances for breast and ovarian cancer.
there is more than one wayto play it. she’s older, it probably makes more sense to be proactive as it becomes far more likely she’d get cancer as she ages. she’s decided it’s better to remove the tissues susceptible to cancer before cancer actually exists and spreads to other tissues. i think given her age it’s probably a good decision.
I think that is crazy too. Its evil.
ovaries
Thank you.
Breast cancer alone kills some 458,000 people each year, according to the World Health Organization, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live. The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women.
Yes it is. Both my parents and a sister smoked and died of lung cancer. My only brother died of a massive heart attack at the age of 51. I have one sister left who smokes and has managed to out-live everyone else in the family. I'm the baby, and she'll probably outlive me. I've never smoked, but know that I could still contract some form of cancer.
I have friends who are twins (male and female). They are in their 60's. Their father died from prostate cancer. They have lost two sisters to breast and ovarian cancer, and a brother to stomach cancer. Another brother died of heart problems, and another brother survived esophageal cancer. Two of their nieces (daughters of one of the deceased sisters) have also suffered bouts of breast and ovarian cancer. The female twin tested positive for the cancer gene. She underwent a voluntary double mastectomy as her doctor told her, it wasn't a question of if she'd ever get the disease, but when. It's been 2-3 years now, and thankfully all is going well.
Unfortunately her situation is not the only outcome.
It is just as likely that cancerous cells could be initially diagnosed in a mammogram and can aggressively grow throughout the body in a very short time (even though the patient is being monitored and told there has been no cancer grow or relocation.)
Then one day they may get a call 6 months later that says "Oh gee looks like we found it in your bones and lymph." Then they think maybe they have stemmed the tide and then three months later "oh gee. It's in your brain and spine." And then the loved one is gone and it's only been a year since the initial diagnosis.
I am so glad your situation turned out otherwise.
No it's not. Read my reply here:
My sister did this. She had a small lump removed but the doctors told her there was a good chance of it coming back. She had a one and three year old daughter. It’s a mama bear thing. True love.
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