Preventative Double Mastectomy

[Dr. Shane]

The Deepest Cut

Quote:

In her new memoir, "Pretty Is What Changes," Queller writes that "deciding whether to go to law school or take one's chances as a writer is a hard decision … Deciding to cut off your breasts when you don't have cancer and possibly never will? To me, that was insanity." Yet she ultimately decided to have a prophylactic double mastectomy, reducing her risk for breast cancer to just 3 percent, and plans to have her ovaries removed before she turns 40.

I listened to an interview of the lady on the radio. She went though quite an ordeal. I didn't even know about the breast cancer gene mutation BRCA prior to that. Why don't they test more women for that? Is the test too expensive?

[Planey]

Quote:

... to have a prophylactic double mastectomy, reducing her risk for breast cancer to just 3 percent, and plans to have her ovaries removed before she turns 40.

I understand that brain tumours are fairly prevalent as well. Perhaps she has taken measures to avoid that as well?

Graeme

[aldona]

This is not the ordinary "my mom or sister had breast cancer" type of hereditary risk (which is at about 10-15%), but a specific mutation that gives you a probability of up to 80% of getting either breast or ovarian cancer.

If I had those odds, I would have my breasts and ovaries removed too.

And yes, it is a very specific and expensive test, not readily available except in a few specialised genetic clinics, and usually only after extensive counselling and family history research.

The folks who end up requiring a test like this, and the drastic measures that follow from a positive test, are the ones where just about every female relative for two or three generations has had breast or ovarian cancer.

aldona

[Naomi]

Thank you Aldona for your professional information. My dear daughter who at 40 recently had a double mastectomy due to cancer(this is her second bout with cancer). This fall she will have her ovaries removed.

Preventative testing to be forewarned of this mutation would be a good thing. It's better to face the situation and take measures than to deal with the cancer.

Because she is a twin my other daughter is preparing for the test.

[nuff sed]

Is there no way that we can get rid of that word "Preventative"? The word is "Preventive"....

[Naomi]

- OHhhhhhhhhh ... OK

[Tallmark]

I recommend that anyone even thinking about having organs removed or going through chemo, to check out Dr. Day's videos. I believe that her message is from God, and it's in harmony with Council on Diet and Foods.

drday.com

[Naomi]

I'm a believer in Councils on diet and foods.

Have you followed up Dr Day's recent health?

Have you faced cancer, more than once, in your own body?

Many factors to be considered

[Anthony!]

I have been in the SDA church for 30 years. During this time, I have had the honor of knowing many saints who are now asleep in Jesus (dead). These same saints lived the health message of the SDA church as revealed through Ellen G. White. Many I knew personally quite well, and they were strict adherents to the health message.

Still they developed cancer and succumbed. I knew one such man who specialized in cancer research at Loma Linda University / Medical Center. He told me (and this was back in 1979) that no matter how careful you may be in the health message, the issues of environment and genetics will cause cancer. He told me that we can only prevent cancer for so long if we are predisposed to eventually develop it.

What he meant was that instead, as it is dependant upon God's will, he could have developed pancreatic cancer at 45 rather than when he was 70. He could only wonder, that based upon his knowledge, that the health message prolonged his health and years. He did not feel that he should say "Yes, definitely", as that would be presumptive of God's will.

His attitude was we must do all that we can and let God take care of the rest.

[Lil Star]

You mean like those churches that require their followers to leave it in the hands of God? There was just a case in Oregon where a parent saw that their baby child was very very sick. They did not take the baby to the hospital or even doctors as their belief was that you should rely on God's hands for getting better or something to that effect. She is now dead and they are not being charged with homicide. Not saying that is not a good route, but where was God in this baby's life? I think that if there are tests, are doctors, are specialists that one should go to them. See what their opinion is as to the affliction and then deal with it medically. I know if I had those factored into my life (some I do) then I would want the tests done, I would want the doctors to help me out when they could. I would make sure I did everything I could so that I would not die if I didn't have to. If it is God's will, then even with the medical interpretations and the medical practice, surgeries or what have you, it will not change what God wants. But God also says, don't let him do it on His own does he not?

[aldona]

Is there no way that we can get rid of that word "Preventative"? The word is "Preventive"....

I don't know how our American friends spell it, but here Down Under the word is definitely "preventative"...at least it was when I went through medical school...

aldona

[ChildofChrist]

Quote:

where was God in this baby's life?

The Father was crying that He had given resources and the parents chose not to use them.

He always gives us a choice but we weak humans don't always make the best ones.

[Lil Star]

Child of Christ, I must have to agree with you on this one. I felt so sorry for the baby. Not for the parents as they knew what they were doing. For the baby because the baby was relying on the parents for ALL aspects of their life. It is so very sad!

[Amelia]

Breast cancer runs in my family but I won't be cutting my breasts off. I'm not afraid. And I get my mammograms when needed. Que sera sera ya know?

[Lil Star]

If it were my breasts and I had a history of that type of cancer and it shows that I have already had some of the implications of it, then I would. No questions asked. I had a mom that passed away due to cancer as well as a heart problem. I have my heart checked regularly.

I think what was trying to be said is that if you have had the biopsy and it is said that you have the beginnings of breast cancer and you were afraid of having your family see you while you were dying then rather than do nothing but the accepted tests, it would be better for all involved to just have the breasts cut off. Sometimes given the circumstances it is better, while in others, it may not be.

[Naomi]

It is so much easier to feel that we know what we would do if we have not faced the situation.

In the case of my daughter, 3 Oncologist (after she made her decision) told her that given her history that if she were their daughter, wife, mother or sister they would have wanted them to make the same decisions.

As for Dr Day, I may be incorrect, but I believe that I read that her cancer returned.

A healthy lifestyle, which includes diet, is important. However, God gave us the knowledge and ability to have medical care. True, Drs are human and make mistakes, but we always have choices.

My brother, who had never smoked, followed our guidelines for diet and exercise developed lung cancer. With the aid of good medical personnel, many prayers, and overall excellent health he is nearing his 2nd year of recovery.

As for the baby, she could have been saved. There are many ways to take a life ........... She had no choice in the matter and that is the sad part of the story. I cried along with the Dr who gave the announcement.

there are so many different circumstances to be considered and not a one-size fits all answer.

[Anthony!]

You mean like those churches that require their followers to leave it in the hands of God? There was just a case in Oregon where a parent saw that their baby child was very very sick. They did not take the baby to the hospital or even doctors as their belief was that you should rely on God's hands for getting better or something to that effect. She is now dead and they are not being charged with homicide. Not saying that is not a good route, but where was God in this baby's life? I think that if there are tests, are doctors, are specialists that one should go to them. See what their opinion is as to the affliction and then deal with it medically. I know if I had those factored into my life (some I do) then I would want the tests done, I would want the doctors to help me out when they could. I would make sure I did everything I could so that I would not die if I didn't have to. If it is God's will, then even with the medical interpretations and the medical practice, surgeries or what have you, it will not change what God wants. But God also says, don't let him do it on His own does he not?

Of course not! I in no way meant that we should do nothing but pray... that is why God gave us our intellect and spirit... to increase in knowledge of medicine and to seek medical help. What my friend meant is that we do all we can to live healthfully, seek the Lord, go for medical help, and then knowing we have done all this, we continue to have faith in God's will. Who knows? The medical treatments may not work - maybe the illness is too far advanced or there is no treatment. Then it is entirely up to the Lord.

[darlene]

I happen to be one who has looked into prophylactic mastectomies. My grandmother (breast cancer), an aunt (ovarian cancer) , an uncle (pancreatic cancer), two sisters (breast cancer) and 1 cousin (pancreatic cancer) have all died, I'm told)from cancer apparently all related to the same gene. I have also had 2 cousins with breast cancer, a niece with breast cancer who is the daughter of one of my sisters who died of breast cancer. After my youngest sister died I went to our BC Cancer Agency for counselling and to find out about prophylactic mastectomies. At that time my family was entered into their hereditary cancer program.

Why would someone take such a drastic step to have prophylactic mastectomies? Well....if you watched a couple of sister die from this disease, you just might do the same thing. Their struggle was excruciating! So...why would you want to go through the same thing? Actually, I never did the prophylactic mastectomy but, I can certainly understand why someone would do it. How can we judge their decision if we have not witnessed someone dying from this disease? That is just plain being judgementmental. I say.....walk a mile in their shoes.