Genetics + NETs

My usual level of humor has taken quite a hit recently. So I'm posting the factual and informative stuff in the interim until my humor decides to resurface.

Paul just found out that his grandmother had the SAME primary tumor in the SAME exact location (very rare tumor and rare location — in the terminal ileum, which is the part of the small intestine). They found his grandmother's tumor during an emergency appendectomy. Luckily, hers was found early, tiny and completely localized with no spread. 🙏🏻

Apparently there is a gene called "MEN-1" (Multiple endocrine neoplasia) that is known to be an indicator of your risk for neuroendocrine tumors. It's very rare, approximately 1 in 30,000 people have this.* (You can certainly get a neuroendocrine tumor without this gene, too, but the presence of this gene is a pretty good indicator.)

Highly recommend everyone getting some form of genetic testing. Just a friendly suggestion. I just started my own genetic testing myself, as knowing your genetics can inform you of your risk factor for many diseases. This way you can bring it to your doctor's attention, get some proactive testing if needed and catch the bad stuff early.

Dayna ❤️

(*Source: Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23088-multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-men)