Nicole's Notes

Anyway, she recommended that I *not* have expensive ($2K) genetic testing done, due to the expense and the fact that cancer doesn't seem to run in my family (in fact, a reassuring number of my ancestors lived to ripe old ages!).

However, because I am young to get it, and cancers caused by inherited factors tend to hit younger than those sporadic ones, she suggested they do another kind of test (less expensive) on some of the cells from the tumour. I guess they look for the presence of proteins normally produced by specific genes - if there are no proteins, then the genes are probably screwy.

All cancers are caused by genes to some extent, because that's what cancer is - one or more cells somehow wind up with inexact copies of the genetic instruction book, causing them to be unable to fix themselves, or other cells, and then when they divide, they make more cells with messed up genes. Because we carry two copies of each gene (one from Mom, one from Dad), usually, there's a back up to prevent problems like this. But if you start off inheriting one messed up gene, then you're on the high wire without a net, and are more likely to get cancer young.

I don't know if I explained that half as clearly as the genetic counsellor did. Anyway, she's going to investigate how much this other testing costs.

The main thrust of the discussion with the counsellor was that my relatives should all get colonoscopies. My cousins aren't as much at risk as my aunts and uncles (by blood, not marriage!), and grandparents. My parents and sister are the ones who need the colonoscopies most. Dad's already had one (they found one pre-cancerous polyp, which is about normal for a 59 year old) and Mom and Steph are having theirs at Easter. Sort of a mother-daughter bonding thing. What can I say? Weirdness runs in our family, even if cancer doesn't seem to.

Anyhow, if there are any of my cousins reading this, urge your parents to have colonoscopies! In the US colonoscopies are recommended for anyone over 50. I think the recommendations are much more lax in Canada, in fact I think Steph's doctor tried to talk her out of it, if I remember correctly. But it's your health, and no one is going to look out for your health as much as you should! Colon cancer is very curable, if you catch it early! And colonoscopies are fun compared to chemotherapy. Trust me, I know. They give you the good drugs.

Speaking of family, we're going to have an addition to our family! No, Mom's not getting her wish for grandkids, she's getting another son-in-law. Shayne gave Steph a ring on Saturday. :) Good Shayne. You get a cookie.