jenny's belly

Genetic Testing

I had genetic testing yesterday at Dana Farber. I didn't really have high hopes for it, so I'm not really dissapointed that they can't figure out why I got stomach cancer. There are no obvious links between anyone else in my extended family. For example, just because my grandfather had prostate cancer doesn't mean it was inevitable that I would get stomach cancer. There are certain genetic links-- like if you get thyroid cancer you might end up with breast cancer later. They weren't able to make any connections for me, and told me they might never be able to.
I joined their database by signing away my life and giving a few blood samples. They use it for research, obviously, and try to make connections between certain genes and certain types of cancer. And should any links be established in the future, they would contact me. Again, I find this highly unlikely, but you never know.
Stomach cancer is very rare in the United States, and is in fact declining (doctors don't know why) but the type of cancer I had is actually increasing. And doctors don't know why this is either.
I'm going to have another endoscopy in June, but my gastroenterologist said she would take tons of biopsies. I begged to be knocked out and she agreed. Oh, and I'm lucky enough to be scheduled for a colonoscopy at the same time. Wa-hoo! What do I care, I won't be awake anyway. Plus, as she said, if they find anything that will lead them down another path. Hm, no kidding.

posted by Jen at 11:01 AM