BRAC Testing ~ Health Insurance Cost Impact for Daughters?

Miles2Go

My oncologist told me I am a candidate for genetic testing; however, a friend urged me to do research to find out if ~ in view of our tumultous health care system including the possibility for a universal medical data base for us all ~ anyone believes (as she does) although "confidentialty" is the byword for medical reports, report results may become known to health insurance companies and put our daughters in a high risk/high cost category, not to mention the emotional impact (see below).  Your thoughts?

Miles2Go

The emotional aspect of BRAC/Genetic testing for our daughters & sisters ~ see this information, this web site http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/genetics.jsp for recent data.  Because family history is required when breast X-rays are taken, I think we'd be well advised to pass along copies of our path reports for information IF relatives are diagnosed with bca, rather than scaring them with the potential for worry and possibly self-fulfilling prophensies.  Your thoughts???  Namaste, Colorado Morning Glory/CMG 

hydeskate

I think its important that all family history is told, because I had no idea nor did any of my cousins that both our Cool Aunt in Tennessee and my Mom both had breast cancer in there 20's both would die of ovarian in their 50's.  We knew about ovarian since we where all in our 20's but nothing about breast cancer or those that past on before of the same thing. My mom suspected a gene and got the test to find the Brac 1 gene.  The mistake she made was not telling us the cancer history of allowing us to experience, or allowing anyone to see her sick, she went to Chemo and Radiation alone.

It wasn't until the text message....the 7th youngest and still seen as the baby @ 29 had Stage IV breast Cancer.  I learned I was Brac 1 positive on the same day.  Because I didn't know the history I had to bring my mom's sister the two closest to her in age.  Let's just say it was an Oh Shit moment when the listed off the family history.....

Now it was my turn to finish what my mom started, it has taken my battle to get the most of the family to take the test, we still have some hold outs.  We have learned that the 8th a male has the gene (he is screwed prostate cancer runs on his dad's side) and the 9th youngest my double first cousin (female).  Because we are basically sister the doctor's are watching her like a hawk