genetic tests - would you ?

[olgaandcoda]

No point in knowing, if it cant be cured or prevented. Live your life to the full just in case! Some gene test for breast cancer etc, where they could remove any bits that might get infected later, different matter.

[Guest]

There's no win win is there. If you don't get the test, you're just left wondering.

Rather than that I would get the test.

[nasty]

If I couldn't change the outcome i.e. With treatment etc, then no I wouldn't get the test.

[ChoppyGirl]

Originally Posted by loola30

If there was nothing useful I could do with the knowledge that I was going to get it then I wouldn't see the point. I'd just go merrily about my way until I knew otherwise!

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I agree with this. If there was something you could do to prevent it then yes but no point worrying about it if you can't do anything about it.

[JLH]

thanks for the replies , I guess there is no right answer . My brother is having tests done and the doctors have said it looks to be inherited but they think its just a male disease. Obviously I would be fine but if I was a carrier there is a very slim chance my three sons would have inherited it. I was talking to the older two about their uncle's condition and one said they would want to know and the other said he wouldn't as there is no cure . I guess until we know for sure who my brother has inherited it from then there is no point worrying.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

I should get tested as my mum died from Ovarian cancer, aka the silent killer. With hindsight she had every symptom but it still wasn't picked until it was well advanced. I keep meaning to get it done but ... !

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Make sure you do

I put it off for ages as I dreaded the result.

[soooexcited!]

I really think it depends on the condition. For me if it was breast or ovarian cancer I would want a test and look of the options of preventative surgery. If it was something that I could potentially pass on to children then I would want to know and take all the information on life expectancy quality of life before I made any decisions. I'm specifically thinking of Huntingtons disease. I've looked after a few people with this dreadful condition and I would want as much info as I could.

[storm]

If it's something I could have passed to our DD I would want to know so she could be tested prior to having a family & continuing to pass it on.
It would also allow financial planning.
But if I was childless I would do nothing .

[Forkbeard]

Originally Posted by JLH

if there was a chance that you had inherited a condition , a condition that would make your way of life considerably worse and for which there was no known cure , would you want to know? Or would you prefer to not know and if it happens then so be it ? Would hoping you don't get it be better than knowing you will get it ?

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As I see it three options:

1) You don't get tested.
Pros: You don't suffer from knowing you have it, if indeed you do.
Cons: You suffer from the worry of not knowing. You waste what little good time you have left if you do have it.

2) You get tested and you don't have it.
Pros: No more worry.
Cons: You had to risk getting told you had it.

3) You get tested and you have it.
Pros: You get to prioritise your life to make the most of it. Few of us do this, and many of us have less time than we think.
Cons: Your life is possibly ruined as you can't cope with the knowledge.

I think it all boils down to the key thing, can you function knowing you have it? If you can, then get tested and live your life.

[suesmum]

Originally Posted by JLH

if there was a chance that you had inherited a condition , a condition that would make your way of life considerably worse and for which there was no known cure , would you want to know? Or would you prefer to not know and if it happens then so be it ? Would hoping you don't get it be better than knowing you will get it ?

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I would want to know. There may be various lifestyles one could adopt that would be helpful to ward off symptoms etc. Also would know what I would be able to do in life and what I wouldnt, so could make sure i got some things done. If I didnt have children, I would want to know as then would consider whether to have them or not.

I dont think I could live with the worry of not knowing. Would rather take a chance and either be told no I dont ... or to be able to plan my life around "yes you do" . I also think my husband needs to know the truth.