Genetics and cancer

[Todd1963]

My brother was recently diagnosed stage 4 colon cancer metastatic to liver. He is doing well. He was able to have his slides genetically tested. I was not as fortunate as by the time they started testing the genetics of the cancer my slides were degraded to the point of impossibility. He was told that his cancer was not genetic. They said that cancer in our family was not an inherited trait. They said Cancer in our family was environmental. It doesn't make sense to me. Maternal grandfather: prostate cancer. Maternal grandmother: lung cancer. Maternal Uncle: Prostate cancer/ leukemia. Father: Esophageal cancer. Paternal uncle: ALS. Brother: Colon Cancer. Me: PCa. If it is environmental then maybe we need to move.

[GoBucks]

He may not have certain genetic markers but no way is there NOT some hereditary issue at play.

[Tall_Allen]

You can get a free germline saliva test sent to your home. They are collecting data for the PROMISE registry. Just fill out the info here:

prostatecancerpromise.org/

It's the same test used by Johns Hopkins, MSK, etc.

[Woodstock82 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Reinforcing this. I signed up with them (no cost), sent in my sample, and they reported a BRCA2 mutation. That was followed up with an excellent call with a genetics counselor.

[RMontana]

I have been really interested in this subject, of Genomic vs Germline testing and have done some digging...here is what I found. You should get Germline (hereditary DNA) testing if you have a FH (family history) of PCa, or for that matter, cancer in general! If you have old slides that is not an issue as you get Germline testing as you go; the results never change...

Genomic/Somatic testing is of the tumor and yes, older samples degrade. But both Genomic and Germline testing should be done before major decisions are made for treatment. Here are some podcasts that may help.

healthunlocked.com/active-s...

healthunlocked.com/active-s...

Good luck...I plan on asking my URO for a script to get Germline testing...I need to know so my two Sons can perhaps get their testing done as well...check out the NPV (negative predictive value) of some of the testing; 97%. This means that if it comes back NEG its negative!

healthunlocked.com/active-s...

Best of luck. Rick

[j-o-h-n]

They're smoking some heavy weed there in the genetics test lab....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 05/17/2023 11:32 PM DST