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Thank you. When the doctor was talking to me, they said it was a genetic cancer. I asked for my records, so I have the biopsy results, regular blood panel results, and then a summary of the PEt scan. I didn't see anything about genetic in the package that they gave me. I also ordered a CD of the PET scan so I can show a 2ndMD specialist and possibly to the cancer center (with links to MD Anderson ) if I can get an appointment.
Replies to "Thank you. When the doctor was talking to me, they said it was a genetic cancer...."
You can get a free, genetic test here
Prostatecancerpromise.org
Do not pick the option that you want to get your doctor involved or they will not send you the test package until I’ve spoken to your doctor.
You just spit in a tube and Send it back to them. A geneticist will call you about the results
The doctor is saying that you have inherited genes that make you more suscetible to this cancer. Somatic testing is a test to detect mutations in the tumor itself. It is these mutations that are now being identified as being vulnerable to specific chemotherapy agents.
This information can only be gleaned from the tumor biopsy samples.
The spit test will give you good, but completely different, information about the genes you inherited.
Many taking the Decipher Test are only interested in knowing how aggressive the cancer is. But the test prepares a grid telling your specific tumor's mutations.
I had somatic testing of tumor which revealed that the three chemotherapeutic agents prescribed for me had been proven ineffective against the mutation in my tumor. The grid suggested several agents that were in clinical trial that might be effective. Because of that grid, I was able to avoid the side effects of medication that could not help me with the cancer.
While you are waiting to see if you can get an appointment with an MD Anderson linked oncologist, you might want to try to get a couple of appointments elsewhere. I want to say--be agressive. Many clinical trials pay for your participation and travel. Be willing to travel, because this is your life.
https://decipherbio.com/decipher-prostate/physicians/decipher-grid/
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Jeffmarc is the MAN- listen to his advise- he has more experience than anyone I ve spoken to on this forum.