It’s an amazingly advanced concept that has come from the world of genetic research and the very brand new and budding field of genetic testing, which many think is the next step in our great medical research advancements, since it has so many indications in modern preventive science.  Genetic testing could very well take us to the next stage of evolution in our life spans, so it is a very interesting field, and it could save many lives. 

Breast cancer research, as it relates to genetic testing, is one of the first fields that offer genetic testing, again in it’s infancy stages, because breast cancer is a disease that can be definitively linked to certain hereditary genes that can be passed down generations in women.  If women who are genetically more prone to carry these “defective” genes that increase their chances of getting breast cancer dramatically, can be genetically tested so they can take precautionary steps so they do not end up with cancer, or at least greatly reduce their chances, this has great meaning in the world of prevention of breast cancer. 

However, as with any great new testing and medical research, even the researchers who have come up with the genetic tests for breast cancer caution against those that are a little overzealous in their quest to stay healthy, and advise it’s best to not over-worry as this is not good for heatlh. 

They say that the only women who should really be concerned with getting the breast cancer gene test are ones that have the disease in their female family members, particularly on their maternal side (like me, my mother’s sister had breast cancer and ended up passing away from it sadly).  If you do not have the genetic predisposition as of yet, they say that this test is most likely not for you, as drugs that are preventive in nature are most likely going to be overly cautious if you do not carry the genes. 

If you think you might be a carrier, then talk to your family doctor and he should be able to put your in the right direction to get the test done.  No word yet on whether most insurance companies will cover this if you need it.  Like everything else, it probably depends on how comprehensive your insurance plan is (unfortunately we have to rely on the determination of someone who is not emotionally invested to make these decisions). 

This entry was posted on December 28, 2007 at 3:12 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Breast Cancer Prevention by Breast News Girl No Comments Yet