Would you do it?

[i-need-a-martini]

Would you have a double mastectomy to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Angelina Jolie did after doctors told her she had an 87% chance of developing the disease.

It's a pretty drastic thing to do. I'm not sure I would do it though. But then again I don't have a family history like hers.

You?

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/my-medical-choice-20130514-2jjyu.html

[punch*drunk]

does not apply to me as I am male but I admire her for doing it and for speaking out about it

Men can carry the Gene too. My friend has it, passed down from her father.

I would have my breasts removed with no hesitation. my sister and I enquired about genetic testing but they said our family history wasnt strong enough to warrant it.

[polksaladallie]

In 2009, the number of men diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia increased to 110, from 61 in 1982

Not sure what the current figure is.

Thank you, Azure

http://www.bcna.org.au/about-breast-cancer/male-breast-cancer

The UK researchers looked at the incidence of male breast cancer in 321 families with BRCA2 mutations, and found that men with the gene mutation have a one in 15 chance of developing breast cancer by the time they reach 70.

"The risks are sufficient to increase awareness of breast cancer among men in BRCA2 families, and to stress the importance of early presentation with breast symptoms," the researchers said.

Men with the BRCA2 mutation are also at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

[azureline**]

One of my girls went to the family history clinic......... she now has been refused  insurance that includes any kind of cancer related cover.

Another daughter gave her family history and had to wait a period of time for cover to be effective but is now covered.

[2013marfield]

thats interesting and something I did not know

[twinkles**stars]

does not apply to me as I am male but I admire her for doing it and for speaking out about it

I know of two men in their 50's .....it's not just a cancer that women get. men have the same breast tissue

[twinkles**stars]

memory loss moment....the female comedian in the show househusbands hmmmmmm someone will know.....her husband was recently told he had breast cancer

[polksaladallie]

She looks so much like her father.

[freddie*rooster]

That was Julia Morris's husband, his BC was diagnosed at the same time as mine, just before christmas.

[twinkles**stars]

thank you freddie 🙂 

[bright.ton42]

From my understanding the testing is very expensive, in the thousands, so I'm not

sure if Medicare will cover it if the risks are considered high enough?  

Also I think the same would apply with mastectomies -   would they be covered if 

the risks are high enough?  I do hope so.