tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post2832699893646914470..comments2023-12-28T01:37:50.347-08:00Comments on Breast Cancer loop: breast cancer online magazine, social network and blog: To BRCA test or not to BRCA test?joinourloophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863989794424702693noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-85003275629801654852012-04-03T08:02:37.971-07:002012-04-03T08:02:37.971-07:00I am a nurse, and I find a lot of the information ...I am a nurse, and I find a lot of the information provided by the makers of the test- Myriad genetic Labs is intended to invoke fear and boost their bottom line profits. The reason that the author of this blog's insurance wouldn't cover the test is because she was not in one of the "high risk" groups. That is why she met with a genetic counselor- to determine her risk. In this day and age of healthcare, we must look at testing and determine the target population. Many studies have been done, and this test only locates certain cancers in specific "genealogy" groups. You must be of a certain descent- because that is the group that has the highest incident rate. So I agree- if you are not in a high risk group- don't waste your money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-89416805519710103432010-02-26T14:55:24.070-08:002010-02-26T14:55:24.070-08:00My insurance covered my test (sister has ovarian)....My insurance covered my test (sister has ovarian)...but wouldn't pay for a wig. Go figure.The Texas Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05570040257752834063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-86104845049514703852010-01-19T18:42:42.795-08:002010-01-19T18:42:42.795-08:00Thanks for the link Turban Diva. It turns out that...Thanks for the link Turban Diva. It turns out that if I was on Medicare, I'd qualify for the test, but my big fancy insurance company does not see me as a candidate. I'm awaiting a written assessment of my BRCA risk based on the family history that I provided. Depending on the results, I will decide whether or not I will fight my insurance company or seek financial assistance.<br /><br />Zen, I am so sorry that you find yourself in this situation too. It's so complicated. I pray they will find a cure soon.<br /><br />Debjoinourloophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863989794424702693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-11490907186888996432010-01-17T14:14:27.785-08:002010-01-17T14:14:27.785-08:00I was actually leaning against doing it, until we ...I was actually leaning against doing it, until we attended Dr. Cliff Hudis' presentation for the Judges and Lawyer's Breast Cancer Alert.<br /> It seems the PARP inhibitors work well on BRCA postive patients who have mets. So I am still considering.<br />Suzjoinourloophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863989794424702693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-50909139924211413432010-01-17T12:42:59.106-08:002010-01-17T12:42:59.106-08:00Here I am, right now in the same boat as Deb, I...Here I am, right now in the same boat as Deb, I've just completed the paper work for Gene testing. But the question remains do I or don't I??, well I do my Grandmother and Mother both passed at 67 with BC, and I at 48 have had a mastectomy. I have a daughter and a grandaughter, so now I AM obliged to get tested and see if this dreadful affliction is rampant in me. and if I have passed it on to my nearest and dearest. I'm afraid the cost is nothing compared to the price of possibly saving my love's lives, with preventative. It's my fear that I have already predisposed them to this. Hmmmm!!, I pray not.Zen186https://www.blogger.com/profile/11655718381149349279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-41717029175401923582010-01-17T11:23:47.600-08:002010-01-17T11:23:47.600-08:00I wasn't going to get the test but did it for ...I wasn't going to get the test but did it for my sisters' sakes. It also had a secondary use: My Mom was always fearful that she would pass on BC to her daughters (BTW she's an 84 year old, 15 year survivor). She was the first in her family to have BC so it didn't seem to be a genetic thing. Having the piece of paper to show that I did not get it from her (added to the fact that my BC is very different from hers) helped ease her grief.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314007134399991628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728225253148337857.post-16021321699283338282010-01-17T11:12:34.079-08:002010-01-17T11:12:34.079-08:00Deb, I'm so sorry to hear you were not able to...Deb, I'm so sorry to hear you were not able to complete the test. Did you at least find it helpful to learn as much as they required about your family history? What I appreciated so much about having to go through that process was learning to ask the right questions from my parents and cousins. Up until that point, the family health history had been vague. Now I strongly feel everyone should have as much health information as they can collect about not only their parents, but their parents' siblings, kids & grandparents. This applies not only to cancer, but stroke, heart disease and other conditions. The more we know about our possible health risks, the more we can be proactive with lifestyle and healthscreenings. Here's a link for information about financial assistance and insurance guidelines for BRCA testing:<br />www.facingourrisk.org/finding_health_care/financial_help.htmlLaurieA (@Turban_Diva)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18033899126300586987noreply@blogger.com