Genetic testing in children........would you?

[DelGirl]

DD saw the paed today re her reflux and we discussed family health etc.

He said I should think about genetic testing for dd as both her dad and paternal grandmother died at 51 of cancer. He said that I should consider testing and then she can have regular screening if necessary. tbh, i'm not sure what to think about it and wonder whether it would hinder, thinking she had a potential time bomb or not.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. There is no real urgency for any testing or anything but i'm just putting it out there.

Thanks

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I would definitely do it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 and it turns out there are some 1st cousins on both sides of the family with breast and ovarian cancer histories. I am going through genetics now, and I would want to know if my dd is likely to get it because we could do a bi-lateral mastectomy as a preventative measure. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that.

Was it the same type of cancer (e.g. bowel) or unrelated? TBH I wouldn't rush with genetic testing just yet.

Can she not have the regular screening without the genetic testing - based purely on her family history? I'm not sure how I would feel about being told my child was definitely high risk - I imagine, like you say, that it could feel a bit like a time bomb

My best friend at school lost her Mum, and both her Mum's sisters to breast cancer (all at a very early age). She and her own sister were absolutely diligent about checking their breasts etc. and going to the GP with any concerns. Because of their family history they were lways taken extremely seriously - a small lump my friend found was removed straight away (it turned out to be nothing). I know some women with a strong family history of breast-cancer are genetically tested and opt for pre-emptive surgery.

I don't know, DG - it's a hard one.

Message withdrawn

Dh was oesophagael (sp) and secondary lung and mil was bowel I think. Mostly I don't want to know really but wonder if thats selfish. By the time dd is old enough to understand and make the decision herself, she may wonder why I didn't do it earlier. It's a toughy. Before she was born it did cross my mind. dd was an iui baby. I figured if she was affected, medicine would have improved a great deal and if we all thought something was going to happen we'd never have children, would we?

I'd do the testing. You are already worried about the potential timebomb so I would go with the testing.

thanks, everyone,

MM, thats what I said to the paed. Obviously if she had any symptoms or anything then I would get her seen straight away but it's a silent one isn't. Like you say, regular screening without the testing might be an option I suppose but would they do that if she wasn't tested? Not sure.

I think that's what you need to find out. Also - there may be implications in the future with regard to things like life insurance if she's tested. I had problems when we got our mortgage and was turned down for everything except the most bog-standard cover because I'd had PND (because clearly having PND makes you permanently flakey and suicidal ) I'm sure I've seen stories in the media (I think it was with regard for genetic testing for Huntingdon's Disease) where people have been turned down for insurance because they've had the test. Same with HIV testing I think.

I think you need to research it all very thoroughly before you decide - as you say there's no rush. I bet Tamum would be useful on this too, like Pruners says.

Yes the paed mentioned insurance too. I am in no hurry at all. I think I will talk to FIL and see if he knows any more history about mil side of the family and his! The paed said the links are between certain groups of cancers, my concern that this crosses over into childhood cancers but I don't think I should be worrying about that really should I as i'd never sleep.

Nope, you'd drive yourself mad like that Just looked at your profile, btw - she is so beautiful!

thanks

I wouldn't get the testing done. Just because she has the markers doesn't mean she will get it,and if you did do the testing, and it came back positive, it would always be playing on your mind, when WILL she get cancer?

BUT, you do have a history of cancer in the family, so you will be aware of the importance of checking for lumps etc.

I think that would be enough...

To put my comments in context, I have a condition that can be passed down to children, and it is possible in some countries to have chilren tested to see if they have the genetic markers for this condition.

I wouldn't get my DSs tested though. We know what signs / symptoms to look out for, and I want my children to enjoy being children, and if they did have the test, and if it did come back positive it would be on my mind all the time. In the meantime, if I am worried about either of my two DSs I can test them myself (same as you / your children can self-examine).

exactly my thoughts at the moment mm22bys, thank you . I think it would always be in my mind, more so than now anyway.

bumping for any more thoughts

I don't have any personal experience of this, but would be inclined to agree with the others - that it should be her decision, when she is old enough. Hopefully they would do the appropriate screening (if any), without the genetic testing.