365 Day 69 Genetic Testing

I will probably delete this explanation later.

I had genetic testing today to see if I have a genetic mutation that might explain why I developed breast cancer at such a young age. Between you and me and the lamp post, I don't think I have the mutation but I wanted to rule it out because if it turns out I have it, I will probably have my ovaries removed.

Nobody else in my family has had this test because they don't trust the insurance companies. But in my case the "cat is already out of the bag" for me because I am sure I would never get insurance anyway because of my "history".

btw this photo was a bitch to take in my dark apartment and no flash. One handed shooting here with a mono-pod and a 1.8 .

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Comments

whoopaggies03 says:

So, if you are genetically pre-dispositioned to have cancer, insurance companies won't cover you? If so, that's the most horrible thing I've heard in a while. Our system is so very broken. Although it sounds like Canada's system isn't working so well either. Makes me wonder what the solution is exactly.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

John© says:

People slag off the UK health service, but it treats anyone, for any reason, without question.
More countries should take note...
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

lornagrl says:

I have a group plan so they have to cover me.

However that only lasts as long as I am employed at my current job.

If I were to leave my current job I would have to smoothly transition into another one that also offers a group plan, or try to buy my own plan. I probably couldn't buy my own plan because of my cancer history. I know someone in Texas who can't get medical insurance because she took anti-depressants.

Another note, If I have the genetic mutation I've been warned I could face job discrimination. Probably not at my current job but no employer would want to hire me because my medical history may raise their insurance premiums.

It's a vile system.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

whoopaggies03 says:

Vile indeed! How would your employer, or any future employers, ever know about the genetic mutation unless you told them about it? Sounds like a great law suit to me. And to not even be able to buy your own insurance because of your history? Crazy!

I don't know how similar the system in the UK is to the one in Canada, but I just watched an interesting documentary about a Canadian cancer patient. This guy goes to the Dr.'s complaining of headaches and the Dr. thinks it might be brain tumors. Because of the way Canada's system is set up the guys can't get to the MRI machine for 3 or 4 months! So he pays out of pocket to come to the US to have it done in a week or two.

Then he goes back to his doctor with the MRI showing the tumors and they can't schedule the SURGERY for another 3 to 4 months! Again, he comes to the US to pay for it himself, putting a 2nd mortgage on his home, etc... Luckily for him the tumor wasn't the worst kind and they are able to remove it during his surgery.

After the whole thing they go to the government to get reimbursed for the money spent on his healthcare. The government comes back and says that they won't reimburse him because he didn't ask for permission in the 1st place. That's a process that takes 7 to 8 months for approval!!! Just as long as to wait for the MRI and surgery!

I know our system is broken, but it sounds like Canada's isn't much better. If you have a F-ing BRAIN TUMOR you should be able to have surgery and treatment ASAP. What's the point of health care if the things that ale you could kill you before you even can get diagnosed?

If what's going on here doesn't work and what's going on in Canada doesn't work, then what's the answer?
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

lornagrl says:

Employers wouldn't know unless I told them or it was - - let's say -- posted on the internet which is why I may take this information down.

I've often wondered about Canada. It's not the first time I heard that people had to wait for crucial tests and surgeries. I was dx one week after I found the mass. I think had I been in Canada I would have had to wait three or four months before I even had a mammogram. In my case, I would have been dead.

The thing is your system would work if it weren't for the waiting period. If they could take that away it would be fine.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

phlewght says:

The good thing about being one of the last "first world" countries to not have single-payer government healthcare is that we can analyze what works and what doesn't in countries that have it, and do it right. But first you need an administration for said government which believes that government CAN actually succeed at such a task.

Of course, you also need a government that can recognize where and how its own failures are occuring and change them, rather than continue failure by inertia.

I have heard vaguely that Canada's healthcare system works better in the Western provinces, and that Quebec's healthcare is a mess. But I know no details, and of course it's very difficult in the US to get unbiased, un-exaggerated information about the successes and failures of socialized medicine.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

amg2000 says:

There's an article in today's NY Times about genetic testing and fear of discrimination, mainly from the insurance companies. Very sad.
www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/health/24dna.html? ex=136159560...

That fear has also made it difficult to recruit research participants for the tests
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

eve.c says:

Johnc - I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001, had major surgery, and that was carried out by their most senior cancer surgeon, god knows what that cost, 6 months of chemotherapy which one of the oncologists told me cost over £30,000 and then years of medication and hospital visits. Not to mention frequent visits by MacMillan nurses.
I am now cancer free and have been for a year, and it hasn't cost me a penny. People slag off the NHS, but I can't fault it.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

lornagrl says:

I got my test results on March 20th.

No genetic mutations.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

eve.c says:

Great news!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

John© says:

Wonderful news!

--
Seen in my recent comments. (?)
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

phlewght says:

Woohoo!!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

oskarmilde says:

i share your fear. my mom and aunt got BC in their early thirties and twenties respectively. i started getting mammos at 18 and would pay for them with cash so that they wouldn't go on my insurance. I was in graduate school 4 months before my diagnosis. university insurance caps out at $25 K which probably wouldn't have even gotten me through surgery. When i was diagnosed, i had only been working for a company for 4 months. They supplied (excellent)insurance (onlly paid $500 for my entire treatment: surgery, chemo and radiation including prothesis and 3 years later reconstructive surgery), short term disability (gave me 6 months off at full pay with a garentee my job would be waiting for me). I lucked out that I made the transition when i did. the onc. asked me to get genetic testing. my thought is: my mom died from it, my aunt had a double mastectomy and i got it at the same age as my mom. proof enough. besides. i don't need to create leverage for insurance companies that will refuse to insure me because of my history. some days when i want to walk out of my job, i remember what they did for me when i was sick and i am so greatful. i am glad you are negative genetically....
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

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365 Day 69 Genetic Testing

Comments

whoopaggies03 says:

John© says:

lornagrl says:

whoopaggies03 says:

lornagrl says:

phlewght says:

amg2000 says:

eve.c says:

lornagrl says:

eve.c says:

John© says:

phlewght says:

oskarmilde says:

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