My genetics test came back negative for Lynch syndrome and a host of other cancer risks.
My oncologist’s concern that I have Lynch Syndrome were for naught. My hospital’s genetics lab called to give me the awesome news. YAY!!! Of course, what doctors know about genes is limited as this is a new area of research. But for now I’m in the clear.
Why You Should Eat Real Foods
Since I’m not genetically at a higher risk for cancer in my breasts, brain, and digestive and reproductive systems, it’s clear that something external triggered my uterine cancer.
My money is on the recommended American diet (high carb, low-fat).
More than 3 decades of trying to follow the food pyramid took their toll on my health. Thanks to my old diet, my hormones got out of whack and some cells turned abnormal. Those abnormal cells don’t have the life span normal cells do. They don’t die. It takes years before abnormal cells turn cancerous…we’re talking 10+ years! The clock was ticking in my early 30s, I just didn’t know it.
My body wanted to shed those abnormal cells, but my metabolic system was too compromised to fight.
Four years ago I completely changed my diet for the better. But 4 years of healthy living doesn’t erase those 30+ years of following the standard American diet. I just didn’t have enough time to improve my metabolic system to help my body fight those abnormal cells in my uterus.
Genetic Testing — Is It Worth It?
For me, getting tested was a no brainer. My mother is a colon cancer survivor. And there’s a lot of cancer in the family. However testing can be costly. Depending on what you are looking for and number of tests, it can cost between $100 – $2,000.
I was lucky. I had a referral from my oncologist so my insurance covered the full amount. Even if my insurance didn’t cover all or part of the cost, I would have gone ahead with the testing anyway for 3 reasons.
- Always Best To Know. “Out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t cut it when it comes to my health. If I had Lynch Syndrome, it made sense for me to know and apply that knowledge to the benefit of my health.
- Create A Healthy Strategy. Just because you’re genetically more at risk for certain illnesses doesn’t mean you’ll get sick. A lot of factors turn genes on and off (epigenetics) — nutrition, environment, sleep, exercise, where you live, etc. If I had tested positive for Lynch, my doctor and I would have created prevention and monitoring strategies unique to me.
- It Wasn’t Just About Me. I inherited my genes from my parents. My results were of great interest from not just my brothers and sisters, but their kids as well as our aunts, uncles and cousins.
The good news I’m healthier and stronger than I’ve ever been. My ketogenic diet has put me on a path to finally give my body what it needs to fight. The genetic test results is just icing on the low carb, high fat cake.