I have mixed feelings about testing for BRCA gene. Only about 10 percent of breast cancers are caused by gene abnormalities, although gene abnormalities are behind about a quarter of breast cancers in women under 35. I think women of Ashkenazi and African descent and those who have had several female-organ cancers in the family should be counseled to have the test, but I'm afraid widespread testing would give a false sense of security, plus cost a lot. I think the most important thing is drum the message that young women can get breast cancer.

ponders and nods

Yeah. I get that. And totally agree. As I said to my mom, "Glad I feel myself up once a month."

((((Aims and family))))

Both of Hubs's parents died of cancer. He hasn't gone through any kind of genetic screening, but he started those once-you're-50 tests for cancer quite some time ago. And he isn't 50 yet.

{{{{{Perkins}}}} I'm so sorry for the choice you had to make and for the loss of your beloved kitty.

It's been at least 5 years since the last time I had to sing the Four Questions.

Okay, did anyone else go to a Holy Grail place here, or is it just me? "What...is your name?" "What...is your quest?" "What...is your favorite color?" Okay, so only three questions, but it made me giggle.

And yeah, cancer can bite me. Still waiting to find out what the next stage in Dad's cancer treatment is going to be. He's recovering really slowly from the operation, but eventually he's going to have to consider radiation or chemo to get rid of what remained. Feh.

Okay, did anyone else go to a Holy Grail place here, or is it just me? "What...is your name?" "What...is your quest?" "What...is your favorite color?"

I am SO teaching Dylan to ask the Four Questions in this voice next year.

{{Perkins}} I'm so sorry. It is such a tough choice to make. I'm glad you had each other in your lives.

So sorry, Perkins. It's always sudden.

all I do here is talk about the Seder.

You worrying about that makes the Baby Jesus cry.

I like hearing about preparations for other people's holidays.

ETA: I hope that wasn't too irreverent or insensitive.

Both my parents died of cancer, my mom of ovarian cancer. My 49 year old sister has not had a mammogram yet. Time for me to set my younger sister brattish nagging on full blast. Hell, I've had the tittie mash and I'm eight years younger than her.

Hell, I've had the tittie mash and I'm eight years younger than her.

:: sits in corner with Pix for hearing strange, unrelated things to the conversation ::

What could one use in place of bread crumbs that would be kosher for Passover? Mom's s-i-l is coming for Easter dinner, and she is Jewish. We're clueless.