Posted 7/17/2023 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed in my 40s, I was well aware that my grandfather, father, and I represented 3 generations diagnosed with prostate cancer, in a row.
My only uncle has also been diagnosed.
With a younger brother & six nephews, I felt a strong obligation to undergo genetic testing.
To be sure, the process was easy.
One test used tissue that had been saved, from years before, from my original biopsy procedures.
Through other test involved a simple blood sample.
When my grandfather was diagnosed in the very early 1970s, with metastatic prostate cancer, no viable treatment options were presented or available.
We celebrated one more Christmas together, and he was gone before the arrival of spring.
I felt strongly that I owed it to HIM to pursue options that WERE available to me ~ things that were NOT available to my grandfather. Genetic testing WAS a component of that ~ in addition to my treatments.
One important consideration ~ NOT to be overlooked ~ make certain you check into insurance coverage before undergoing genetic testing.
Paying for this out-of-pocket CAN be costly.
In my case, my oncologist filed paperwork with my insurance company to seek coverage for the two different genetic tests.
Some experiences to share ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University