Genetic Testing

Have you seen this? Don't know if it will help, or if it applies UK wide but might be informative.

www.nhs.uk/.../

Hi Seamus

I have tried to have a genetic test too. I was refused, as I was too old when diagnosed.  I also didn't have any close relatives, who were diagnosed with either PC, or breast cancer which also eliminated me from testing.

As you Father died of PC, and your Mother from BC ,I'm a little surprised you were ruled out.

When I spoke to the hospital,  one of the criteria was early diagnosis - I was too old at 64 - so looking at your history reckon that's the case with you. That said, don't understand why age is so critical.

Regards

Stuart

Thanks both. That NHS link is an interesting read. I will contact my GP and ask if they can clarify the criteria.

Hi Seamus

When I approached my GP, they told me to speak with the hospital, so it will be interesting to see how you get on!

Regards

Stuart

Hi Stuart, I asked the prostate cancer nurse specialists about the risk to our children because of the high incidence of early, aggressive, terminal breast cancer in his family and prostate cancer diagnosed in his father and grandfather in their 70s - as well as, now, my husband’s diagnosis. She immediately said she would refer him for genetic screening. Later, when we saw the oncologist he immediately said we should be referred once he had heard the family medical history. So, we had no problems getting the referral. The problem is the long delays in both getting an appointment and,  then, getting the results! It’s a very slow process, we were told it will take 4 months to get the blood results.

The local University hospital was doing this when I was first diagnosed but it was then and looks as if it still is for younger men - I think they even wanted men younger than my two sons at the time.  Unfortunately, my two grandsons live in America so don't know if they have genetic testing over there and if they do I am sure it costs a fortune - they will be 16 and 19 this year.  I cannot remember the ages they were testing all that time ago.  My Father died at 88 with Prostate cancer but not of Prostate Cancer and looking back my paternal grandfather had symptoms of prostate cancer before he died but the cause of death was bowel cancer on the death certificate.  My late wife and her sister both had ovarian cancer and before that thyroid cancer.  Her little sister, because of my wife's experience was diagnosed earlier and is still alive but my late wife died at 57 of ovarian cancer - which had been treated as IBS for 18 months prior to the late diagnosis - and lived about 15 months post diagnopsis after a horrendous experience with chemo.  Her brother died of prostate cancer - diagnosed at 54 and lived until 68 thanks to some wonderful care from his team. then of course both my little brother and myself diagnosed at similar ages with prostate cancer as well.  I do keep on at all the men in my family of 45 and over - even my second wife's family to have their regular PSA checks but especially my family and my late wife's family as the cancer is so prevalent.  We had a family reunion with my brother's family yesterday and I forgot to mention it to his son - i shall have to message him and apologize that I forgot to  do so LOL.

Hi Seamus

Oncologists put me forward for testing, this was due to being diagnosed at 45. Sister had breast cancer although she was mid 50's when diagnosed. 

Given an interview with genetic testing psychologist,  criteria seems to be family history of cancer where relatives were diagnosed at young age, or you are diagnosed particularly young.

After interview was put forward for testing on grounds of my age only.  Turned out did not have the gene.

freefaller & Angus68 

Thanks both. I will ask my GP for further clarification as, although I wasn't diagnosed until over 70 my father was only 53 when he died of PC.