The DNA Age: Cancer Free at 33, but Weighing a Mastectomy

NY Times ^ | 9/20/07 | Amy Harmon

[hinckley buzzard]

Sounds like a personal decision. If she wants to do it, let her. What business is it of any of us? She isn't telling anyone else they have to follow.

[HairOfTheDog]

I’m quite disappointed in the responses here. I’m a 14 year breast cancer survivor but many women I know are not so lucky. It is a horribly painful death and slow. The cancer can move to the lungs, bones etc. If this woman could stop the risk of breast cancer by doing this then more power to her.

Agreed. The responses here represent much that is wrong with the population on this site, IMHO.

Every woman over forty in my family had breast cancer. Most survived it, but all are gone now. I don't doubt I have this gene and I just turned forty this year. If I could do this surgery and avoid the pain and trauma of having to go through this cancer I would do it in a heartbeat. No question. I don't understand how anyone could or should have a problem with that.

[Obadiah]

If she were instead a "he" facing a lifetime risk of 85-90% of prostate or testicular cancer, you would see a mighty different response to this article here on FR.

Oh that is just utter nonsense that sounds as if it came directly from Gloria Steinem herself.

[dangerdoc]

It takes two things to trigger cancer. Initiation and promotion.

Initiation is a change in the underlying structure of the cell that in and of itself can cause cancer. Depending on they type of tissue, the latency period can be months or years.

Promotion is something that can speed up the development of cancer after the initiation has occurred. It does not cause cancer by itself.

The gene would be iniation. It can cause cancer in and of itself. Basically its a question of when rather than if.

Estrogen is a promotor. It does not appear to iniate cancer but will promote the development of cancer in breast cells that are iniated making that cancer appear sooner and grow faster.

Unfortunately, a young woman with the gene is now carrying cells that are iniated and promoted, the combination with will most likelihood of causing cancer.

[VxH]

[Like many Americans, this woman’s mind is going to be the cause of her own disease.]

 

CaaaChing! CaaaChing! The cash register rings.

 

 

Tyranny of the appetite.

[mad_as_he$$]

I take it from your moniker you are a Doctor?

I suggest you review:

The Hallmarks of Cancer by Douglas Hanahan and Robert A. Weinberg, January 7, 2000.

[allmendream]

I believe in this case it is due to a genetic predisposition. I am sure stress, like obesity, and any other system wide stress; is sure to raise the incidence of cancer. Although stress and worry IS this woman’s problem, I don’t think it is what will cause her breast cancer. It happened to most women in her family due to genetic predisposition not their attitude.

The good thoughts=good health paradigm is a blame the victim mentality that sells books and programs for ‘right thinking’ to the credulous looking for easy answers, but without actually doing any of the work necessary to prevent, treat or research the disease.

[GOP_1900AD]

In general, the dumbed down masses are hypocondriacs and abusers of OTC and prescription meds. I can solve the health care crisis straight away .... stop enabling those who are obsessed with receiving medical service for every little ache, pain and sniffle.