Why Can't we get tested annonymously for genetics?

wishiwere
wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
Why Can't we get tested annonymously for genetics?
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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited April 2008

    Didn't there used to be or isn't it still possible to get tested for AIDS without using your name?  I might be way off, but I thought I read years ago when AIDS first really made the headlines that they were allowing people to get tested using a # and then could call in for their results and so forth using this #.

    Why can't this be done for those with BC who want/need the testing done, so it can't be put on your records for the insurance companies, employers and so forth to get a hold of?

    Wouldn't that be the answer, rather than risk all the people that aren't getting tested for fear of resprisals in one form or another? 

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  • veggievet
    veggievet Member Posts: 72
    edited April 2008

    Hi Wish,

    Depending on your circumstances there are still places where you get tested anonymously but not every place will.  The issue is if you truly want anonymous testing you would have to pay out-of-pocket.  Having said that, if you are the first in your family to have testing it can be expensive.  If you have already had cancer, the risk of discrimination on top of a cancer diagnosis from a genetic test is pretty small.  In addition, in some states even if your insurance company pays for testing they may not be allowed access to your results.  This varies from state to state.

    If you e-mail me at: sueanddan@att.net I'd be happy to direct you to resources near you.

    Regarding discrimination, check out the page on the FORCE website at:

    http://www.facingourrisk.org/finding_health_care/genetic_info_and_discrimination.html

    Warm regards,

    Sue

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