Advice needed - possible genetic issue

[Tyler Durden]

Apparently I have a 38 year old half brother who just contacted me on Facebook. I am 32 and this is my first connection with him. Unfortunately, it wasn't because he wanted to establish a relationship with me. Rather, 6 months ago he found out he has a stage 4 gliobastoma muliforme (malignant brain tumor). He was told its genetically based and he ruled out his mother's side of the family. That leaves our father's side which he believes is the source and why he contacted me.

Should I be running out to a doctor for advice? Does anyone know if there is any kind of early screening procedure for this? Would insurance cover this kind of testing?

On a scale of 1-10, how concerned should I be for myself?

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

If I were you I wold play it safe and contact your Primary doctor. Tell him of your half brother and inform your doctor of what your 1/2 brother has and at what stage he is at. Let your doctor run a few tests on you and see if this is also your fate or not. Chance are it may not be. But play it safe for now. Best of luck to you bro.

 

[7_Deadly_Sins]

What do you have to lose if you contact your Dr?

 

[musicmann89]

Apparently I have a 38 year old half brother who just contacted me on Facebook. I am 32 and this is my first connection with him. Unfortunately, it wasn't because he wanted to establish a relationship with me. Rather, 6 months ago he found out he has a stage 4 gliobastoma muliforme (malignant brain tumor). He was told its genetically based and he ruled out his mother's side of the family. That leaves our father's side which he believes is the source and why he contacted me.

Should I be running out to a doctor for advice? Does anyone know if there is any kind of early screening procedure for this? Would insurance cover this kind of testing?

On a scale of 1-10, how concerned should I be for myself?

contact your dr to play it safe bro, not worth taking any chances

 

[hotttsauce]

Better to be safe than sorry

Apparently I have a 38 year old half brother who just contacted me on Facebook. I am 32 and this is my first connection with him. Unfortunately, it wasn't because he wanted to establish a relationship with me. Rather, 6 months ago he found out he has a stage 4 gliobastoma muliforme (malignant brain tumor). He was told its genetically based and he ruled out his mother's side of the family. That leaves our father's side which he believes is the source and why he contacted me.

Should I be running out to a doctor for advice? Does anyone know if there is any kind of early screening procedure for this? Would insurance cover this kind of testing?

On a scale of 1-10, how concerned should I be for myself?

This is a very aggressive type of tumor but for this specifically, there are no known genetic or hereditary traits, but it would still be advisable to contact your Primary Treating Physician and let them know the situation just in case.

Here are some articles if you want to check them out:

Watkins D, Rouleau GA
Genetics, prognosis, and therapy of central nervous system tumors.
Cancer Detect Prev 18:139-144, 1994.

Bondy M, Wiencke J, Wrensch M, et al
Genetics of brain tumors: A review.
Journal of Neuro-oncology 18:69-81, 1994.

Berleur MP, Cordier S
The role of chemical, physical, or viral exposures and health factors in neurocarcinogenesis: Implications for epidemiologic studies of brain tumors.
Cancer Causes Control 6:240-256, 1995.

Best of luck to your new found family.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I guess I am thinking worst case scenario. If there is a moderate possibility of this happening to me, I want to increase my life insurance benefits before I make any paper trail (i.e., calling the doctor). If I try to do it after, and don't disclose this info, they could invalidate the policy.

 

[Newman]

I guess I am thinking worst case scenario. If there is a moderate possibility of this happening to me, I want to increase my life insurance benefits before I make any paper trail (i.e., calling the doctor). If I try to do it after, and don't disclose this info, they could invalidate the policy.

Yes, then ask Big A to delete this entire thread!

 

[maldorf]

I guess I am thinking worst case scenario. If there is a moderate possibility of this happening to me, I want to increase my life insurance benefits before I make any paper trail (i.e., calling the doctor). If I try to do it after, and don't disclose this info, they could invalidate the policy.

Good point. I think I would take out more insurance if you can afford it. It cant hurt. If there is some kind of genetic marker for it and they find that you do not have it, you can always drop the insurance later.
Now after I had my heart attack, no insurance company will even think of giving me life insurance. Wish I had taken one out before the shit hit the fan.