Genetic Testing Advantages | Knowledge is Power
When I learned I had pancreatic cancer, I wondered…what difference would it have made for me to get genetic testing?
In 2006 when I heard the devastating diagnosis, “Laurie, I am sorry, you have pancreatic cancer,” my world changed forever. I was in seemingly perfect health at the time, and learned that the pancreatic cancer survival rate is very low, 94% of the pancreatic cancer patients died in the first 12 months. It was not something I could comprehend. Over my 55 years, I had gone from experiencing an occasional bout of the flu as the most serious illness, to now a death sentence.
I had no idea the role my genetic make-up played in my success as a survivor 14 years later. My oncologist thought outside the box, prescribing drugs that were not standard of care and were difficult to tolerate. At the time of my diagnosis, I barely knew what the pancreas did, and I certainly was not qualified to question the reasoning behind these protocols.
I honestly believe I am alive today because of a unique genetic make-up I possess and a doctor that thinks outside the box. This is not true for everyone. Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd deadliest cancer with no early detection markers. By the time symptoms appear, it is usually advanced. The 5-year pancreatic cancer survival rate is a mere 10%.
Genetic testing was never discussed with me by any doctor over the four years I was in treatment. Nor was this suggested in nine years following.
Treatment guidelines for pancreatic cancer state all patients should receive germline genetic testing and yet 80% of patients are not undergoing testing. Wouldn’t you want to know why you might have developed this cancer and is your family at risk for hereditary cancer? Also, these tests inform doctors what treatment options are best for your tumor. I can’t stress enough the benefits and the critical importance of genetic testing for patients and their families.
I have had the good fortune of interacting with Myriad Genetic Laboratories, the gold standard of genetic testing. Their testing is simple, secure, affordable, reliable, and they don’t sell your information. Not only are they credible and trustworthy, but they also give you a lifetime commitment for those who test with them. 97% of private insurance companies have coverage for hereditary cancer testing. These are characteristics that I think are vital when making such an important decision about the risk of cancer for myself or family members.
To make this testing even more accessible, Myriad has partnered with Genome Medical to provide individuals access to hereditary cancer testing from the comfort of their home. Expert genetic counselors will guide you through a straightforward process to help you make more informed decisions about your cancer prevention strategy.
I know many patients and family members not as fortunate as I; genetic testing would have been a benefit.
Now, more than ever, people are taking charge of their health and are empowered to make crucial decisions on behalf of themselves and their family members. Knowledge is power, and understanding the difference in testing with Myriad, the difference it can make in helping them to make more informed decisions about cancer treatment strategies, is so reassuring.
Today, I see the conversation playing out differently than in 2006 at the time of my diagnosis. Learning to interact with my doctor, how to manage the disease, overcome fear, shock, disbelief, and the projection of a few months to live, would still be at the forefront, but using my voice about genetic testing would have played a significant role.
It should be for you and your family as well.
Please click on this link to take a very brief quiz to help determine if genetic testing is right for you.
This blog post is sponsored by Myriad Genetics, however all opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Myriad Genetics or its affiliates.