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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• January 29, 2010 12:31 p.m.

  My mother and sister have a form of dementia we think is Alzheimer's. My mother is 77 and my sister is 55. I think it is ridiculous to stick your head in the sand if you carry the gene. Early treatment can be enormously helpful and give HOPE for heaven sake. We need this genetic testing despertely!!!!!!

  - Susan

• January 13, 2010 5:48 p.m.

  I am 25 years old and my 59 year-old father is now moving into an assisted living facility exclusively for memory care patients. His mother died from the disease and we think my father has had Alzheimer's for about 8 years now. I want to get genetic testing so I can stay informed and hopefully help researchers stop this horrible disease. I will definitely pursue genetic counseling before and after testing. This disease is breaking my family, and my thoughts are with everyone that has responded to this article. Pray for a cure.

  - Lucy

• January 11, 2010 11:57 a.m.

  Do you have any information on testing for Jewish genetic disorders on your website?

  - Karen

• December 5, 2009 9:14 a.m.

  I think an individual has the right to know what their future could be so planning and preparation are in order. My personal observation is that those for whom the possibility of devastation due to knowledge are also those least likely to seek such knowledge in the first place.

  - Joy

• November 12, 2009 9:41 a.m.

  Hi Nanayaa, Have both you and your partner had carrier testing for sickle cell trait? If so, what were the results? I think visiting with a genetic counselor could be very helpful for your situation. To locate a genetic counselor in your area, go to www.nsgc.org and click on Resources - Find a counselor.

  - Carrie Zabel

• November 11, 2009 3:21 p.m.

  is there a prenatal test to detect sickle cell anaemia? my partner and i would be grateful to know if we have such an option. thanks

  - nanayaa

• October 19, 2009 9:12 a.m.

  I lost my brother Bill from liver cancer caused by hemochromatosis. I am a compound heterozygote. Due to the high number of people affected, I think there should be universal screening. As many as 1.2 million Americans could have this disease. We screen for breast cancer??? Why not this disease? My brpthers iron levels were over 4000 ng/ml. Mine were slightly over 75. We watch my iron levels. If it wasn't for my older brother dying from this disease, many more in the family might have problems. Our whole family has had the DNA tests, and most were good. Only one other has tested heterozygous.

  - George

• October 16, 2009 12:41 p.m.

  yes 62yrs old

  - bonnie

• October 7, 2009 3:48 p.m.

  Audrey I completley agree with you and think it is the best way to go about the situation. Alzheimers runs in my family as well and I would like to know in adance to prepare myself and my family for it. It is expensive to continue to see doctors and to find out early on and try to cut those down would be very beneficial.

  - katie

• October 7, 2009 3:43 p.m.

  Blanch-what if having that information could help you and your family? In being porepared or taking certain precautions...isn't that something that you would be interested in? You said your mother has it so why would you not want to be informed?

  - Katie

• October 7, 2009 3:24 p.m.

  I believe that genetic screening is a great idea. If it can eventually save lives and prevent diseases from even occuring what is the problem? Why not save yourself or your family members from the pain and anguish that comes along with most diseases?

  - Katie

• September 14, 2009 8:07 p.m.

  I think genetic screening is fine as long as there is scientific evidence to back the claims made by companies doing them. There are a lot of DTC companies out there that make "outrageous" claims about some of their products. There are certain genetic markers that can determine if you are able to tolerate certain medications, etc. Especially things like chemotherapy could be deadly for patients with certain genetic makeup. There are a lot of reports that have confirmed the validity of such testing (see link). Unfortunately, these kinds of tests are not always done because insurance/medicare do not cover them. http://www.oncogenetics.org/web/genetic-testing-may-be-valuable-in-treating-colorectal-cancer

  - Rupert

• September 10, 2009 1:24 p.m.

  Yes, I would want to know if I had Alzheimer's. As a retired nurse, I would attempt to work on a plan while able for my care later in the disease process so my family would not have all the stress or bankrupt them. I know there is no easy way out since I'm going through it with my mom.

  - Audrey

• September 9, 2009 10:06 p.m.

  How can we be protected from genetic testing that "profiles" us for certain diseases/disorders (ie alzheimers, et al), and then the insurance companies cut us off at 40 years of age? Regardless of your political views, we need basic healthcare guaranteed. Go ahead and blast me for saying this, however I'm not going away.

  - Earl

• September 9, 2009 7:35 p.m.

  The more knowledge you have about your future health more power to you.It all depends what you want to do with that information it's never about how many years left but what you do with those years that counts.

  - david

• September 8, 2009 10:30 p.m.

  My mother had it so I'm familiar with the suffering of everyone involved. The only time I would be interested in knowing is when they find a cure. In the meantime I will keep myself informed

  - Blanch

• September 8, 2009 10:20 p.m.

  IF, i had the test and they found the markers for dementia, of any kind, I would go through the mental anguish and then start to get over it. I would stop cleaning house, I would stop worrying about politics, I would focus on what I want to leave for my grandchildren. I would, therefore, get my oil paints and canvas's out and start working on all the paintings I have envisioned, but have been too procrastinating over. I would line up pitchers, trays, and all the other white china/blank china I have and I would get high behind all those legacy works of art that I have dreamt and envisioned and lusted over and over in my mind. Yes, I would have an urgent reason to fulfill those longed for moments with brush in hand, so that my grandchildren would be able to say, "my grandmother painted that for me," and I am the luckiest person, because she was very talented. I have been "retired" for 2 years and have very little to show for all those waking hours, when I could and should have been busying myself with the teaching china painting again. Now my loop hole-I HOPE. The Lord will keep me in perfect peace, when my mind is stayed on Him.

  - sally

• September 8, 2009 10:11 p.m.

  My parents both passed for different reasons,if they succumbed from something preventable with this years technology why wouldn't I want to pursue medical support and life style to extend my life span beyond what my parents expierenced. Unless there was a great deal of discomfort.Live life to the fullest with all that makes you and yours happy

  - John

• September 8, 2009 6:28 p.m.

  I definitely would NOT want to know. I would be terribly depressed if I knew I had a gene for Alzheimer's. I already have written into my health care directive that I NOT be given any life support, including antibiotics, if I get Alzheimer's. I think genetic testing is scary. Thanks.

  - Sylvia

• September 8, 2009 3:18 p.m.

  My mother had Alzheimers and wasted away in a nursing home for over 10 years. If I would find out this I had it, I would kill myself.

  - Lee

• September 6, 2009 2:37 p.m.

  Genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease is a good idea. If the genetic test indicates the disease, the individual should keep their mind active. There is Alzheimer's disease on both my side of the family and on my husbands. My children keep their minds active and so do my husband and I.

  - Karen