Genetic Counselling Appointment - Results!

Robin I am just delighted for you . What a relief . 

Such good news ,

Court

Hi Robin,

That sounds like reasonably good news.

I'm still waiting for my genetics referral. Apparently the first request was not received, and more recently for the second one they asked me to provide family history of cancer (six in total, one bowel at the age of 78, and 3 of the other 4 diagnosed in their 30's and 40's). So now it is wait and see.

Last year my surgeon did recommend that I should speak to my sister about symptoms etc (living in South Africa and with private medical insurance; they routinely perform colonoscopies for people with e.g. IBS-type symptoms in order to rule out bowel cancer). I was hoping to have the genetics results before I speak to her, but will speak to her at Christmas anyway, genetics or no. As you said, better safe than sorry.

All the best,

Yolande

Hello Robin.

My partner had various tests on his tumour when it was discovered that he had bowel cancer at age 42.  Because he was young they checked for lynch syndrome and something else, can’t remember what. All came back saying no genetic links, but advise that our sons start having colonoscopy’a 10 years prior to the age that he was diagnosed, so at 32.

obviously it is a huge relief to us that it is not genetic but also part of us felt angry to think this horrible disease struck purely out of bad luck.  He has always kept himself fit, Always taking part in some kind of physical activity, never been overweight, never smoked, doesn’t have a bad diet, eats things within moderation and drinks weak larger occasionally. So why him? He would be the last person you’d expect this to happen to.  Cancer really doesn’t care who it targets. 

Lena x

Thank you, everyone!

I've spoken to my brothers about this. As it happens, my older brother is a doctor, so as soon as I was diagnosed, he had himself checked out. All clear for him, at this time. My younger brother lives in Spain, so he is going to find out what he needs to do to have this examination there.

I am glad there is no genetic link that anyone can find. I have several conditions that might have such ties, but the cancer being entirely incidental and not genetic is a great relief. But as Lena says, cancer is not given to being generous or sympathetic - it will target anyone! In my case, with other health problems, I was not wholly surprised. One thing that did occur to me is that I was told, some time ago, that I should not have any more abdominal X-rays, as it is a cancer risk. I have had a huge number of them - I have ongoing chronic kidney and prostate problems. It is all over my notes that further x-rays should only ever happen in emergencies. Then I discover I have cancer in precisely the same region that has been given all the x-rays...

It might be a link, or it could be entirely coincidental. Ironically, when I went into hospital with suspected appendicitis, the instructions not to x-ray me meant that none were performed. If they had done them, they would have likely seen that my appendix was fine, and that the issues was bowel cancer. Life does like to have a laugh at my expense, it seems...

R.

Great news that you have no genetic link but just wanted to add as a Lynchie myself that it's not a death sentence, and means that any cancers that may occur, hopefully will be caught early and that colon cancer usually stays within the bowel longer than sporadic cancers. Not all doom and gloom, knowledge is power.

Hope treatment is all going well. 

Love Hell xx

Thank you Hell. :) Knowledge is indeed power. I need some of that at the moment, as I am exhausted

R.

Aw it's a long hard road but hopefully light at the end of the tunnel xxxx