Angelina Jolie-What do you think you would have done?

After Angelina tested positive for the gene that might lead her to breast or ovarian cancer she decided to have a double mastectomy. She, like most people, have a familial history with cancer. Her own mother fought ovarian cancer and in the end died at the age of 56 from the cancer. With Angelina's familial history she realized that she needed to get tested for the gene, which will be talked about more later on in this article. She found that she had an 87% chance of getting breast or ovarian cancer. Having this type of surgery, allowed her to prevent the breast cancer.

What would you do when faced with the same results? Will you run out, and see your medical doctor about running tests to find out if you have the gene? I think it's important for woman to listen to the message Angelina is putting out to everyone. She wants to be here for her children, her own mother left at an early age, and only was here long enough to meet her grandchildren. My own mother was lucky enough to be here to have a relationship with my children, but now with my children still young, I as a woman who comes from a family of cancer victims, wonder if I should go and do this myself.

Share about your own thoughts on this conversation. I write to help people who have cancer or the people around. Cancer has taken almost everyone on my side of the family, and yes, I am scared of it coming for me. I pray every night for God to let me be here to see my two boys grow up, and to be here for my future grandchildren. You never know when it might come, so don't think you are too young, or think you are healthy enough because it can come out of nowhere and surprise you.

Should you do it? read this informative article about it.

Is Prophylactic Surgery Necessary To Prevent Breast Cancer?

By Henry Relfield

   

Some women at high risk who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer consider prophylactic (preventive) surgeries. This includes mastectomy (removal of the breasts) and can sometimes include a complete hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and ovaries). While many studies have confirmed there is less breast and ovarian cancer among women who have had these organs removed, subsequent studies have questioned the use of such radical preventive measures because of quality-of-life issues and long-term side effects.

 

Since the introduction of prophylactic surgery, the medical community has failed to focus on issues of surgical complications and communicating risk-to-benefit information. A database search of studies on prophylactic mastectomy for the prevention of breast cancer uncovered research bias, poorly designed studies, and inappropriately prequalified participants. Researchers who evaluated 23 studies involving more than 4,000 patients concluded in a report featured in the Cochrane Database System Review that more rigorous prospective studies are needed, because "the state of the science is far from exact in predicting who will get or who will die from breast cancer. By one estimate, most of the women deemed high risk by family history (but not necessarily BRCA1 or 2 mutation carriers) who underwent these procedures would not have died from breast cancer." The researchers reported that body image and feelings of femininity were adversely affected.

 

While many genetic counseling centers and research facilities continue to encourage these surgeries, women are advised to evaluate this decision carefully. Genetic testing is not designed to be a diagnostic tool. While research has confirmed that mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes cause a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, many other genes have been identified that also can increase a woman's risk. Until more research is done, genetic testing should not be the sole tool used to recommend serious surgeries.

 

High-risk women with a family history of breast tumor or who have tested positive for mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are advised to undertake an aggressive integrative prevention plan. In addition, those who are not taking tamoxifen can derive additional protection from indole-3-carbinol (abundant in cruciferous vegetables) or supplemental diindolylmethane (DIM). Aggressive screening is also recommended for these women. This may include the combination of mammogram with ultrasound and, for those with risk for ovarian cancer, an annual pelvic ultrasound. If your risk level is high, ask your doctor how you can step up your screening program.

 

Henry Relfield is a medical expert in cancer diseases for more than 15 years and he has been writing many well-known cancer-related articles including, diagnosis and causes of tumors, cancer-fighting recipes, common signs and symptoms of tumors, treatment options, etc. To find out more about his articles, you can visit at: [http://www.cancer-dictionary.com]

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