Comment by moju
4 days ago
This is so grim. Why is this a list of things you need to worry about?
I had testicular cancer a decade ago (in Ireland). I found a lump, went to my GP, had a scan 2 days later, and surgery 12 later. Followed by chemo and a RPNLD as was needed.
I didn’t need to chase any doctors, I trusted every doctor I met (had I had AI then I wouldn’t have wasted time with them).
I got a second opinion, because why not, but they agreed with my onc.
Is this some very US coded list that isn’t relevant to my experiences in Ireland?
ps. I’m not sure why genetic testing is suggested here?
I'm glad your cancer was taken care of and you're healthy now.
Note to everyone reading your comment:
This is a typical psychological response, a deep need to trust the given system you're in, especially when it comes to serious medical issues.
This will lead to suboptimal outcomes and/or severely harm you in most circumstances. The people in these systems are just people, they make mistakes, they have their own personal issues, they have their own interests. The people who designed these systems are just people as well, they make mistakes, the systems are flawed, the system itself has its own interests and logic.
You need to be your own advocate, do your own research, not take what people say or do as gospel.
And yes genetic testing is extremely valuable in modern cancer care, a good oncologist will do this immediately.
> I had testicular cancer a decade ago (in Ireland). I found a lump, went to my GP, had a scan 2 days later, and surgery 12 later. Followed by chemo and a RPNLD as was needed.
I would be shocked if it did not go pretty much exactly the same in the US. Testicular cancer diagnosis is really well understood and straightforward.
I agree somewhat in that it's probably a "simpler" type but I would not necessarily be shocked if it didn't go that way for someone else in the US. I had testicular cancer slightly earlier than GP. Had surgery in the same week in a local hospital I originally went in after noticing a lump. Was lucky, just did the removal of my left testicle, the lymph node relomval, and regular checkups/scans - but never any chemo.
The moral of my personal story in this context is probably somewhere near the intersection of "not all cancers are the same", "you can always find an anecdote which suggests something", and "luck is a factor in life".
If I were to go through it again I'd still probably get a second opinion and go to a better place even if it was a straightforward type though because why not if it's covered the same in the end.
> I’m not sure why genetic testing is suggested here?
I think the first genes identified that had an influence on cancer prevalence were breast cancer genes BRCA1 & BRCA2. These genes also have an influence on men getting prostate cancer.
This article explains more:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/geneti...
Are there any practical implications though, or is this just basically finding something to blame?
Lots of people surely have these genes but no breast cancer, and many or even most cases of breast cancer don't involve this genetic variant.
> I’m not sure why genetic testing is suggested here?
A couple of reasons (off the top of my head). Depending on the type of cancer, there are certain genetic markers that indicate how it might progress + impact the overall risk. This is something you might want to communicate to other biological family members. Your genetics also can impact what treatments you respond the best to, and knowing ahead of time lets you start on the things that are most effective for your body in particular.
sure to ruffle some feathers with this comment but from my eyes this is just American culture and I see similar things play out everywhere.
It's a very extreme form of individualism in combination with capitalism. Then we have the worship of corporations
The best way to operate under that is how you should expect everyone else to: strongly advocate for yourself, because even hospitals in cases like this will be looking after themselves first
> sure to ruffle some feathers with this comment but from my eyes this is just American culture and I see similar things play out everywhere.
It'll ruffle some feathers because it is a gross generalization that does not fit what most of us experience. Confirmation bias is really a thing.