Quote Originally Posted by extras View Post
My father's side of the family tree keeps losing to cancer. Having lost yet another uncle to it just a few days ago, I'm quite sure the bugger will eventually get me. No need for DNA test.
The thing with cancer nowadays (with a few exceptions) is that it IS curable - here comes the important bit - IF its caught early enough. Most people die from cancer because its detected too late, and has spread too far. Many people ignore 'warning signs" for years - in which case nothing really can be done. Having a strong family history (and this includes people like parents/brothers/sisters/aunts uncles and cousins) may well be an indication something is going on - or it may just be rotten luck. It really depends on who had what so to speak.

If there is a lot of breast cancer (and or ovarian cancer) in the women in your family - there could be an inherited mutation - and your chance is 50/50 that you carry the same mutation (you say you are a woman). If you DO - you have a strong likely hood of developing breast cancer during your life time - and so a regular screening program would be a really good idea - and a genetic test an even better idea. breast cancer is definately one of those "curable if caught early" cancers.

Screening for diseases where there is no possibility of a cure (some of the degenerative diseases say) is more of a personal choice. Some people don't want to know - others would rather know - for better or worse - and if worse they can plan for that - and if better, they can avoid a life time of worry.

But these are diseases for which there is a well known cause and effect. Most of the oher things - obesity, heart diseases, arthritis, high blood pressure - well, as said, there is no genetic screening currently worth paying for. you will get a more relaible answer by looking at your family, and seing what is going on with them.