DNA testing for health maintenance

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by perchance

I am neither young nor immortal but if I found out I had high risk of developing testicular cancer I wouldn't run out and get castrated just to join the sopranos in the choir.

Equating breasts with testicles suggests a lack of knowledge about how either the male or female body operates.

My Amazon status is a great screening tool for men, because I wouldn't give a plug nickel for any man it mattered to.

[perchance]

My Mother had Colon Cancer and survived. She is currently recovering from Lung Cancer and will no doubt survive. She is eighty five and a tough old broad and her knowing beforehand that she was subject to these risks would have added nothing to her quality of life. In fact knowing would have added unneeded stress to her life and quite likely shorten it.

[perchance]

Rakuflames: Since you are an Amazon you must be damned good with a Bow. This is me being a smartass.

[genomic]

Knowledge of the genetic influence on diseases has evolved at an extraordinary rate over the last few years and continues to do so. I don't think anyone who isn't completely up to date with the latest research can confidently assess the current level of understanding (Dunning-Kruger notwithstanding). Yes, almost all traits are influenced by genes and by environment (including epigenetic factors). Yes, most traits are polygenic - influenced by more than one gene. This is all well known. But as Virginia Boy correctly pointed out with his BRCA1/BRCA2 examples, many mutations or gene variants can dramatically increase the liklihood of developing specific diseases. Personally I find that valuable knowledge - eg if you have a dramatically increased liklihood of developing prostate cancer you may increase the frequency of checkups or begin testing at, say, age 40 rather than 50.

No-one's suggesting genetic testing is a 100% correct or a panacea (and call me if you discover any kind of knowledge or treatment that is) - but it's just additional information that may potentially be life saving.

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by perchance

My Mother had Colon Cancer and survived. She is currently recovering from Lung Cancer and will no doubt survive. She is eighty five and a tough old broad and her knowing beforehand that she was subject to these risks would have added nothing to her quality of life. In fact knowing would have added unneeded stress to her life and quite likely shorten it.

I'm glad your mother is doing well and I wish her the same luck with lung cancer. I know it must be a terribly difficult time for your family.

Cancer is an example where DNA testing could be beneficial. A test can determine high risk for celiac disease, which is a known cause of colon cancer and which many of us suffer from in varying degrees. If that knowledge leads one to modify their diet, the whole colon cancer thing might be avoided all together. Ditto a hundred other diseases.

[bobconnie]

Gee if I had had one done 30 yrs ago I would have found out I would have ariritis !!! Wow I might have moved to Arizona, and not went around the Paicfic 3 times LOL what a waste !!! I have it Pretty good but we are about to get the new cruisein boat and start out again !! at 74 by the way !!! What ya get is what ya get, ya only go around once and Im going out kickin and biteing!! ya can bet on that !!!LOL just do it and try to enjoy it !! Thats My way

[Cheechako]

I think it's kind of cool, but am wary of taking it to the bank. I'm glad you posted the second list, the first list was full of things so rare (to me anyway) I'd never heard of them!
It would be a waste of money for me as I discovered long ago that I'm Invincible... at least that's what my wife says i seem to think...

[perchance]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Gee if I had had one done 30 yrs ago I would have found out I would have ariritis !!! Wow I might have moved to Arizona, and not went around the Paicfic 3 times LOL what a waste !!! I have it Pretty good but we are about to get the new cruisein boat and start out again !! at 74 by the way !!! What ya get is what ya get, ya only go around once and Im going out kickin and biteing!! ya can bet on that !!!LOL just do it and try to enjoy it !! Thats My way

I'm waiting for them to perfect that whole Stem Cell thing so I can get my knees injected with some fresh cartilage.

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I think it's kind of cool, but am wary of taking it to the bank. I'm glad you posted the second list, the first list was full of things so rare (to me anyway) I'd never heard of them!
It would be a waste of money for me as I discovered long ago that I'm Invincible... at least that's what my wife says i seem to think...

While each of those diseases may be rare, what is NOT rare is to HAVE a rare disease. 30 million people in the USA suffer from a rare disease. Just sayin.

23andme's test costs less than many peoples weekend bartabs, seems like a pretty wise investment to me.

It's just another tool like blood draws, x-rays, cat scans etc. Just a little more info so we can keep our scrubby asses dragging along a while longer.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by virginia boy

I'm glad your mother is doing well and I wish her the same luck with lung cancer. I know it must be a terribly difficult time for your family.

Cancer is an example where DNA testing could be beneficial. A test can determine high risk for celiac disease, which is a known cause of colon cancer and which many of us suffer from in varying degrees. If that knowledge leads one to modify their diet, the whole colon cancer thing might be avoided all together. Ditto a hundred other diseases.

I will be the first to admit that her lifestyle did nothing to stave off either of her Cancers. Smoking, drinking and a diet that was a stranger to fibre.
Genetics aside, it stands as a cautionary tale for all that having a clean genome is no guarantee of future health.

[DWT]

I think it was great that you did the DNA test. And you should if you have those concerns.

On a not so grand of a scale I have been getting complete blood test for about 15 year. I am now 59. I am sometimes tested yearly sometimes bi yearly but keeping a good eye on the basic and a few others important items and it gives me a peace of mind. You can now order a blood test without going to the local doctors and that saves a lot of money.

[snort]

The doctor gave me a report regarding my risk of getting Alzheimer's, but I forget what it said. Can't remember where I placed it either.

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Gee if I had had one done 30 yrs ago I would have found out I would have ariritis !!! Wow I might have moved to Arizona, and not went around the Paicfic 3 times LOL what a waste !!! I have it Pretty good but we are about to get the new cruisein boat and start out again !! at 74 by the way !!! What ya get is what ya get, ya only go around once and Im going out kickin and biteing!! ya can bet on that !!!LOL just do it and try to enjoy it !! Thats My way

What if the DNA test showed that your arthritis had a genetic component that could be positively affected by some new treatment? You'd never know because you thought it a waste of time and money and chose to remain ignorant and in pain.

I can't think of a single circumstance in which a person would be better off remaining ignorant of their health status.

Is it that, after a certain age, people feel there's nothing can be done? Or that the rewards (years) are not worth the time and effort it takes to learn?

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by snort

The doctor gave me a report regarding my risk of getting Alzheimer's, but I forget what it said. Can't remember where I placed it either.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by perchance

I would get a second opinion.

...ok...He worrys too much!!!


I've had 2 MCI's, 2 major motorcycle wrecks, 2 minor (only cracked ribs). What the doctors removed in smashed flesh was replace by other doctors with pins, plates and stints. I've been in a coup d' etat, and raised 4 freakin teens!
I've been told to take it easy and give up my lifestyle. That sailing would be too strenuous. I proved them all wrong...so far. I do check my numbers as far as total LDL and a few others every 6 months. So far they don't seem to understand why the numbers are better and against their advise continue to taper myself off the heart meds. I won't bankrupt my soul for my health