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There are genetic test to see if you are at risk for genetic
cancers. I have had two doctors to make statements that insurance
wont pay for this kind of test, that is not true and they seemed to
be surprised when I told them that it did. Dr Heather Pierce a
Genetic Doctor at the Markey Cancer Center Lexington Ky will check
one's insurance before she sends in the
the blood work for the test.
She ask me if I knew any one who might be at risk to ask them to
call her at
859- 323- 6252 and she will be more than happy to talk with
you. One would need to check their relatives how they are related
and what kind of cancer they had before contacting her. That is all
there is to it a blood test. The reason for getting tested if you
have had breast cancer, colon, and many other cancers and it runs in
the family such as mothers, father, brother, sister, aunts and
grandparents.
My sister and I have had breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, she
and I both have had the breast cancer BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 and she and
I tested positive for BRCA2 and that gives our blood relatives a
much greater risk of getting these cancers. Our sons, brothers as
well as the female relatives are at greater risk. for breast cancer.
Our family is so high with many types of cancer. Now that they know
that I carry the BRCA2 gene I have been told by the genetic doctor
to get two mammograms a year instead of one because most people get
it in the other breast with these markers. The CA125 test is for
ovarian cancers and that is another test that can save a woman's
life if you have to pay for it the cost is $165.00 and isn't worth
it to save your life if your insurance doesn't pay. Any one who has
had breast cancers should think about
It looks like that if we are going to conquer cancer is to catch it
in the early stages and with this test that is possible and early
stages are curable. The research has been done and proven.
If your family has these markers they do mammograms and pap's at 22
years old instead of 40. And yes insurance does cover.
The next gene test they are to run on us since we have the markers
is to check family for colon, and other cancers and if we carry this
marker the people in our family is to get checked at 42 years old
for colon get a colon copy and PSA test for prostate cancer.
You will have to be your own advocate, insist that you be given
every chance at life.
Both times I had cancer it had gone into the 3rd stage and that puts
me in a very high risk of surviving as one that is found in early
stages. The gene test has been out there for ten years. Believe me I
would have not let this happen to me if I had known what the testing
could have meant for me. We don't know if this bad gene came from
our mother or dad because both of them could not have the gene
because the children wouldn't live beyond childhood. We are trying
to get both sides of the family tested to see where it came from.
I have to say God must have a plan for me and I am trying to put it
to good use.
If I had known about this BRCA test and known I had the positive
gene I would not have ended up with this last cancer because I could
have done something about it. That is the message I am trying to get
across to people. Do not neglect your health, with this information
you know what to do. Knowledge about cancer is our tool.
We are in planning stages for the 2008 fundraising for the Knox
County Cancer Patient Fund. We are working to help our own cancer
patients in the county while going through treatments. Gas prices
have been at a soaring high. And it doesn't make it easy on those
with a fixed income or any one else. Please when you are ask to get
involved in this program just remember all the assistance we have
given to our very own, every day people are being diagnosed but we
have a better chance of catching it in the early stages.
Donations For Dwayne
% Betty Jordan
312 Cumberland Ave.
Barbourville Ky.40906
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