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BRCA1: Startling New Findings Point to Need for Wider Testing

By PJ Hamel, Health Guide Friday, January 18, 2008
If you’ve had breast cancer, you’ve no doubt heard about BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing, often offered as an option to women with a strong family history of breast cancer, especially those who’ve been diagnosed early (under age 35), and Ashkenazi Jewish women. Now, it appears that the test...
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1/18/08 11:58am

PJ,

I have another question about the genetic testing...I "heard" that you shouldn't have the test because it could cause problems with insurance.  That you either might not get it or would have to pay a higher premium because of a predisposition.  Have you heard that one???

Koponen

PJ Hamel, Health Guide
1/18/08 2:31pm
Wow, I hadn't heard that. Doesn't make sense that just having the test (if negative results) would qualify you for "predisposition." And if they're going to start counting genetics as predisposition to rule out insurance coverage, then they'd better start refusing people whose parents have diabetes, heart problems, or any number of other health issues. H-E-L-L-O - this is why reform of the health insurance industry is desperately needed. (Personally, I didn't need to have my credit ruined for 5 years so that I couldn't take out a college loan for my son because the hospital and the insurance company couldn't agree on how much each had to pay, and while they were fighting the hospital turned my account over to a credit agency! I'm still stewing about that one...) - And on that note - have a nice weekend, koponen! - PJH
1/18/08 6:00pm

Don't even go down the "credit rating" path....this is the second "life threatening issue" I have had in 2 years...and I did not repeat not have insurance for the first one....so between the kidney thing and the cancer thing....I believe I've paid for a new wing on my hospital (no disrespect there...they have saved my life a couple of times and I love my doctors, nurses, everybody there!!!

Koponen

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By PJ Hamel, Health Guide— Last Modified: 09/03/10, First Published: 01/18/08