question

[Answer_seeker]

does anyone have advice on genetic testing / treatment?

I have Oligometastatic prostate cancer, my mother died of breast cancer and I have ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

[MelodyCat]

You sound like a good candidate for testing. Good luck.

[j-o-h-n]

Does anyone have advice on genetic testing / treatment?

I have Oligometastatic prostate cancer, my mother died of breast cancer and I have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

ChatGPT said:

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It sounds like you're facing a lot of important decisions with your health. Genetic testing and treatment for conditions like yours can be complex, but there are some general steps and considerations that could be helpful in your situation.

Genetic Testing: Given your personal and family history, it could be useful to undergo genetic testing to assess whether you have any inherited mutations that could influence your treatment options. Here are some factors to consider:

BRCA1/2 mutations: Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is known to carry a higher prevalence of certain genetic mutations, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are commonly associated with breast and ovarian cancer but can also impact prostate cancer. In some cases, mutations in these genes may also indicate a higher risk of other cancers. A genetic counselor can help you understand whether testing for these mutations makes sense in your case.

Other relevant genes: There are several other genetic mutations (like ATM, PALB2, and others) that can increase the risk for both prostate and breast cancers. Testing might give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of prognosis and available treatments.

Impact on treatment: If you test positive for a genetic mutation, it could potentially change the way your prostate cancer is treated. Some treatments, such as PARP inhibitors, may be more effective in patients with specific genetic profiles.

Family implications: Genetic testing can also have implications for your family members. If you test positive for an inherited mutation, your relatives might benefit from early screenings or preventive measures.

Treatment Considerations: For someone with oligometastatic prostate cancer, where the cancer has spread but remains limited in number, treatment options could vary. Common approaches include:

Localized treatment: Some doctors may consider focusing treatment on the metastases themselves (e.g., radiation or surgery), as they may be limited in number and location. This approach could help control the spread.

Systemic treatments: Alongside localized treatment, systemic therapies like hormone therapy or chemotherapy might be used, depending on how aggressive the cancer is.

Clinical trials: Given your family history and genetic background, it might be worth exploring clinical trials. New treatments that target genetic mutations or use advanced technologies could be available, especially if you are a candidate for therapies like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Consultation with specialists: Since you're dealing with multiple factors—cancer, genetics, and family history—working with a multidisciplinary team (oncologist, genetic counselor, etc.) would be really helpful in tailoring a treatment plan specific to your needs.

If you haven’t already, it might be helpful to discuss genetic testing with your oncologist, who can connect you with genetic counselors. They can provide personalized advice on testing and interpretation of results based on your unique medical history. Do you have an oncologist or genetic counselor you’ve been working with, or are you in the process of exploring options?

Note: Greetings Answer_seeker, Would you please be kind enough to update your bio. All info is voluntary but it will help you and help us too. Thank you!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Tall_Allen]

A germline genomic test is free from the Promise Registry.

prostatecancerpromise.org/

They mail you a saliva test that you mail back to them.

[pakb]

The cancer center my husband is treated at offered this testing when we first started there. Could you ask your oncologist if they offer it where you are getting your treatment?

[Sunnysailor]

I second the color genetics test thru the promise trial. It’s fast and they send the results to your doctor too. It also benefits the community that is researching genetic mutations.

If you’ve had a prostate biopsy I would also recommend a somatic test of the tissue. It will show what mutations the cancer cells are making. It can help the oncologist make informed decisions. Some mutations are more responsive to certain drugs.

[Answer_seeker]

Thank you, I was given the HALO genetic test yesterday at the Imaging center I use. I will look into promise as well.

[Mgtd]

Just a word of caution. I took the Promise free test because I was in the identical boat. Both my wife and I found out because of a “Christmas Present” that we both had that Jewish heritage. We had no idea.

When I was diagnosed with PC I took the Promise genetic test. Incidentally it was done by the same company that did our “Christmas Present” to determine our heritage.

It is good info to have but I caution you I have found that my doctors were really lacking in the knowledge of the genetic impact of PC treatments. There are specialists called Genetic Counselors that will help you. The Promise and testing people offered that help.

In my case I was clear but it did put my mind at ease. Bottom line no restrictions on treatment options. Good to know.

PS I talked to my 96 year old aunt when I got the results back of the heritage test and got the “real” story.

Turned out my mom was illegitimate. Her real father was the Jewish boy down the block from my grandma. Kind of a snow ball effect. All my mom’s sisters and brothers knew but never told her. It was only after her mom and dad died did my Aunt Lilly tell her the truth. It was a shock because she always looked different then the rest of the family in pictures.

My wife is clueless where her Jewish heritage comes from. Most probably somewhere in the “old country”.

Life is just full of surprises.