Is genetic Testing a good idea?

farmgirl1971

i have ILC and in the ptocess of decion making. I wonder if I should have genetic testing done. No one has addressed this with me.

What is DCIS?

Thank you!

dtad

Hi farmgirl1971. IMO genetic testing is always a good option so you know what you are dealing with and possibly others in your family.DCIS I s ductal carcinoma insitu. Its technically stage 0 because it has not left the ducts and it has not become invasive. Do you also have that?

mary625

Farmergirl--you have to qualify for genetic testing, unfortunately. A genetic counselor will talk to you for about an hour and come up with a family tree of people with cancer. It will also be dependent upon your age.

A lot of people seem to have DCIS and LCIS mixed in with their ILC according to one oncologist I met with. It's just an alphabet soup. I remember my path saying that I had all mixed in and everything was quite pleomorphic. Great.

wallycat

Farmgirl, so sorry you are joining us.

DCIS is ductal carcinoma in situ. Some call it stage 0, some pre-cancer and the problem is that no one knows which DCIS will become aggressive and invasive or just stay quiet till we die of something else.

In my case, I was offered genetic testing because of my background (Dad was Jewish) and because I was under 50. I laugh at the criteria because if I had been told it was cancer 4-6 weeks later, I would not have qualified (I'd have turned 50). Not sure if you mean testing for various genetic mutations or having the oncotypeDX test...that should be offered to you and that helps you make the decision on chemo.

Best to you.