Everyone has the BRCA 1 & 2 genes. It's only when they carry certain mutation that you become more prone to developing certain cancers. You have to compare your genes to someone who has those specific cancers to know if you're at risk and how high that risk is. If there is no one in your family with ang of those…

Note: we all carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It's the mutation of one of these genes that causes the problems. These genes control tumor-suppressing proteins so when the genes are fucked up, the proteins aren't able to do their job. Hence, increased risk for breast cancer.

I'm part of this super awesome club. According to my oncologist, women with the BRCA 1 gene have an 89 percent chance of developing breast cancer, and 60 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer, in their lifetimes. I don't think the figures in the article about increased risk get this across, the lifetime risk for…

No, it is Myriad, fucking autocorrect.

Isn't Myeiad the lab who tried to fucking patent the fucking BRCA1&2 genes like a bunch of fucking arseholes?

Good on you. You have to do what's right for YOU and no one else. Good health to you.

Just putting this out there: since my grandmother's family has a lot of cancer history, my grandmother got testing for the BRCA1 gene mutation. She does not have it, so my mom and I probably don't carry the gene either.

I too have the gene and I've had these surgeries and they are tough. Although the mastectomies and reconstructive surgery were physically difficult, it was the ovary removal that of course has the lasting effects - such as going into menopause at 35 and now at 48 looking about five to ten years older than my peers…

She wrote the op-ed because she is one of the highest profile women in the world and therefore is in a unique position to raise awareness about a condition that could become fatal for millions of women... But you're totally right. "Sit down and shut up, woman" is a much more appropriate stance to make. Ugh.

Did you read the NYT article in full, or just these small pieces from it? You might find it takes on a different tone if you read it all. It's a lot more clear that this isn't a "me me me" thing in the slightest, or at least that's my opinion. I'm very much behind evidence-based medicine too but I'm very impressed…

Did you miss this part?: "After Jolie's last op-ed, there was a rash of conversation over whether mastectomies for women who carry the BRCA1 gene were really the best way to go; some women said Jolie inspired them to get tested and have the same surgery she had, and at least one study showed that Jolie had been the imp…

Our best bet is more Malalas, honestly. Young people not afraid to speak up against oppressive traditions and arguing for more access to education. More education, by and large, means more peace (or at least more stability). It's also got to be a largely internal movement; we've seen how well outside intervention in…

To those of you who post puppy pictures in these threads in order to "make people feel better". STOP HUGBOXING. This is real life. There will be violence, poverty, rapes and greed. When you post cute pictures you also derail the conversation. If you get "triggered" by seeing the photo and this post (no blood or gore…

OP delivers: (Here they are with my rabbit.)

I'm sorry, but this commercial about an old dad learning to read is the most feelsy commercial of all time.

OF ALL TIME!!

Here's the best part of the Kirk Cameron piece:

I know that Khloe is the Kardashian people seem to like, but I can't be the only one weirded out by her black men fetish. She has gone on god knows how many radio and internet interviews talking about how she just loves black peen, and quite frankly it's off putting. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with having a…

Time to update this classic:

Watermelon is the only acceptable melon. Other melons are just bullshit that wish they were as cool as watermelon. I would gladly throw all the cantaloupes in the world off a very high cliff.

I'm glad I'm not alone in hating melons. People keep trying to convince me that melons are not disgusting, but I will not be convinced otherwise.