"Cancer Can Be In Your Gene's"

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 can be sent to KCCPF 312 Cumberland Ave Barbourville Ky 40906

Betty Jordan