Comments on: Positive pregnancy test diagnoses man's cancer http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 08:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: John Kahen http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1581687 John Kahen Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1581687 Interesting story!  Interesting story! 

]]> By: Wild Autumn http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1580438 Wild Autumn Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1580438 This didn't surprise me one bit (the man-taking-the-test part, not the cancer DX part). When I was pregnant I saw this so many times on forums and it was usually the woman asking the man to take the test. The usual reason: to see whether a certain test could just be giving out false positives. Anyone outside the TTC world would go, "Whaaat?" LOL. Those of us who have been there will shrug and go, "I wonder if we should try that?" Sue This didn’t surprise me one bit (the man-taking-the-test part, not the cancer DX part). When I was pregnant I saw this so many times on forums and it was usually the woman asking the man to take the test. The usual reason: to see whether a certain test could just be giving out false positives.

Anyone outside the TTC world would go, “Whaaat?” LOL. Those of us who have been there will shrug and go, “I wonder if we should try that?”

Sue

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1580203 dnebdal Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1580203  Well, we started as a informational group - the largest camp at our first market (in ... 1994, I think) was the "children in the viking ages" one. It's drifted into more of a merchant's market since then, though our blacksmith group still smelts their own iron (and makes some rather excellent knives from it). Personally, I only dropped in for the market - this year I just made a few knife-handles (as an excuse to be there) with a friend of mine, and we shared a tent with my mother and one of her friends, who were selling some (quite decent) plant-colored yarn. (This place: http://www.borrevikinglag.com/?page_id=961 )  Well, we started as a informational group – the largest camp at our first market (in … 1994, I think) was the “children in the viking ages” one. It’s drifted into more of a merchant’s market since then, though our blacksmith group still smelts their own iron (and makes some rather excellent knives from it).

Personally, I only dropped in for the market – this year I just made a few knife-handles (as an excuse to be there) with a friend of mine, and we shared a tent with my mother and one of her friends, who were selling some (quite decent) plant-colored yarn.

(This place: http://www.borrevikinglag.com/?page_id=961 )

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1580123 ocker3 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1580123  My group leader said yesterday we should all be able to make our own gear, just in case, except for boots, boots we should buy. I'm happy to add some leather to some gloves for padding, but making shirts is probably outside my skill area. Any intelligent warrior culture respects their smiths and crafters, you don't want your pants falling down while in combat!  My group leader said yesterday we should all be able to make our own gear, just in case, except for boots, boots we should buy. I’m happy to add some leather to some gloves for padding, but making shirts is probably outside my skill area. Any intelligent warrior culture respects their smiths and crafters, you don’t want your pants falling down while in combat!

]]> By: avatar_sprite http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579833 avatar_sprite Sun, 11 Nov 2012 22:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579833 If that were true, rollover's would not exist. If that were true, rollover’s would not exist.

]]> By: criolle http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579802 criolle Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579802 So dayhat, the difference between you and a "death panel" is ... what? So dayhat, the difference between you and a “death panel” is … what?

]]> By: Guy Chapman http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579679 Guy Chapman Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579679 HCG is also sold as a miracle diet scam. This despite the fact that solid science shows it to be bogus - but of course no miracle diet scammer or any other altie has ever responded to science by accepting they are wrong! HCG is also sold as a miracle diet scam. This despite the fact that solid science shows it to be bogus – but of course no miracle diet scammer or any other altie has ever responded to science by accepting they are wrong!

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579666 Robert Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579666 Also you should mention the X and Y chromosomes, which have fun trying to kill each other off. It's theorized that the Y is very small to make itself a smaller target for the teratogens given off by the X. Also that when sperm and egg meet, X and Y do their damnedest to make sure that they remain in charge -- hence, when one is particularly <i>puissant</i> against the other, we get families of all girls or all boys. (*) Do I get +1 for using <i>puissant</i>? (*) Sykes, Adam's Curse: A Future without Men Also you should mention the X and Y chromosomes, which have fun trying to kill each other off. It’s theorized that the Y is very small to make itself a smaller target for the teratogens given off by the X. Also that when sperm and egg meet, X and Y do their damnedest to make sure that they remain in charge — hence, when one is particularly puissant against the other, we get families of all girls or all boys. (*)

Do I get +1 for using puissant?

(*) Sykes, Adam’s Curse: A Future without Men

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579660 Robert Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579660 "...their primary function is to rip through flesh and secure the embryo to uterine wall." "If the mother did not stop the trophoblasts' drilling, they might burrow so deeply into her uterus that she could hemorrhage and die." "And you'll ride the crimson wave." */me hides in the corner and cries* “…their primary function is to rip through flesh and secure the embryo to uterine wall.”

“If the mother did not stop the trophoblasts’ drilling, they might burrow so deeply into her uterus that she could hemorrhage and die.”

“And you’ll ride the crimson wave.”

*/me hides in the corner and cries*

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579630 dnebdal Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579630  Hah, well - we have a fighting group, I just happen to hang with the handiwork people instead. :)  Hah, well – we have a fighting group, I just happen to hang with the handiwork people instead. :)

]]> By: dayhat http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579615 dayhat Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579615 If the micro-array that diagnosed my ultra-rare cancer in time to cure cost $100 000 would i pay - hell yes but how to know?  however crlolle you are confusing a personal benefit with a population benefit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screening_%28medicine%29 Test away all you want with your $6 urine test - it will get you little reward.  (if it does - buy a lottery ticket (you must believe in lotteries don't you)). If the micro-array that diagnosed my ultra-rare cancer in time to cure cost $100 000 would i pay – hell yes but how to know?  however crlolle you are confusing a personal benefit with a population benefit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screening_%28medicine%29

Test away all you want with your $6 urine test – it will get you little reward.  (if it does – buy a lottery ticket (you must believe in lotteries don’t you)).

]]> By: criolle http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579611 criolle Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579611 Forbes doesn't seem to think it's worth the cost. The test stick costs SIX DOLLARS. MY life (and MY testicles) are worth more to me than six dollars. You can make your own decisions about your own balls. Then again, if my balls were worth six dollars, they'd be covered by Obama-care, wouldn't they? http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2012/11/10/how-a-pregnancy-test-told-a-man-that-he-has-testicular-cancer/ Forbes doesn’t seem to think it’s worth the cost.
The test stick costs SIX DOLLARS.
MY life (and MY testicles) are worth more to me than six dollars.
You can make your own decisions about your own balls. Then again, if my balls were worth six dollars, they’d be covered by Obama-care, wouldn’t they?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2012/11/10/how-a-pregnancy-test-told-a-man-that-he-has-testicular-cancer/

]]> By: dayhat http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579601 dayhat Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579601   a discussion about sensitivity versus specificity.  yes a urinary beta-hCG test is very sensitive but what does a positive tell us?  As rule 10 would tell us, don't take a temperature if you don't want to find a fever. Although I am happy to confess I don't know the numbers I am confident in assuming there is no net  benefit in mailing out pregnancy tests for males to pee on.   a discussion about sensitivity versus specificity.  yes a urinary beta-hCG test is very sensitive but what does a positive tell us? 
As rule 10 would tell us, don’t take a temperature if you don’t want to find a fever.
Although I am happy to confess I don’t know the numbers I am confident in assuming there is no net  benefit in mailing out pregnancy tests for males to pee on.

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579175 ocker3 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579175  Just sitting, no fighting?? That's not normal...  Just sitting, no fighting?? That’s not normal…

]]> By: John Maple http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1579066 John Maple Sat, 10 Nov 2012 08:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1579066 If other tests for cancer were as easy to administer as this HPT is, more people could benefit from them. If other tests for cancer were as easy to administer as this HPT is, more people could benefit from them.

]]> By: Janet Novak http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578968 Janet Novak Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578968 This back-of-the envelope calculation is actually close to the National Cancer Institute's estimate for lifetime risk of testicular cancer, which is 370 men in 100,000 (0.37%). The source is http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/testis.html#risk .  This back-of-the envelope calculation is actually close to the National Cancer Institute’s estimate for lifetime risk of testicular cancer, which is 370 men in 100,000 (0.37%). The source is http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/testis.html#risk . 

]]> By: Zadaz http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578938 Zadaz Sat, 10 Nov 2012 03:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578938 "for those who are wondering, "What kind of demented person would urinate on something completely inappropriate just to see what happened?", let me introduce you to the male gender." You mean peeing on something that's built specifically to be peed on? “for those who are wondering, “What kind of demented person would urinate on something completely inappropriate just to see what happened?”, let me introduce you to the male gender.”

You mean peeing on something that’s built specifically to be peed on?

]]> By: Luke McFadden http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578382 Luke McFadden Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578382 This happened to me!  And it's not just choriocarcinoma.  Just finished up 3 months of chemo, and an RPLND surgery for stage 2a teratoma.  Peeing on the stick helped to confirm the need to get checked out. This happened to me!  And it’s not just choriocarcinoma.  Just finished up 3 months of chemo, and an RPLND surgery for stage 2a teratoma.  Peeing on the stick helped to confirm the need to get checked out.

]]> By: Chris Overbeek http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578346 Chris Overbeek Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578346 As a testicular cancer survivor, I can tell you it is interesting to go get blood work done and see the lab people look at you weird because the tumor markers being tested for are bHCG and alpha-fetoprotein -- both are normally pregnancy hormones. As a testicular cancer survivor, I can tell you it is interesting to go get blood work done and see the lab people look at you weird because the tumor markers being tested for are bHCG and alpha-fetoprotein — both are normally pregnancy hormones.

]]> By: Robert Geise http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578210 Robert Geise Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578210 That is not, I think, a reliable source. Try this one: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/high-odds-low-odds.aspx That is not, I think, a reliable source. Try this one:

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/high-odds-low-odds.aspx

]]> By: autark http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578146 autark Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578146 "Successful implantation occurs only if the embryo properly "invades" the lining of the uterus, which requires that the placenta's trophoblast cells penetrate deeply, boring into maternal arteries to shunt blood to the growing baby." I want to have this quote memorized the next time somebody talks about life beginning at conception, trying to emotionally manipulate people into a romantic view of pregnancy and reproduction.  God doesn't come down and touch your uterus and bless you with a fully formed baby... a group of rogue cells uses chemicals to penetrate your body and implant a parasite into your flesh, and siphoning off your natural resources for its own use!! The real miracle is that anybody would allow such an invader to stay and develop to fruition. “Successful implantation occurs only if the embryo properly “invades” the lining of the uterus, which requires that the placenta’s trophoblast cells penetrate deeply, boring into maternal arteries to shunt blood to the growing baby.”

I want to have this quote memorized the next time somebody talks about life beginning at conception, trying to emotionally manipulate people into a romantic view of pregnancy and reproduction.  God doesn’t come down and touch your uterus and bless you with a fully formed baby… a group of rogue cells uses chemicals to penetrate your body and implant a parasite into your flesh, and siphoning off your natural resources for its own use!! The real miracle is that anybody would allow such an invader to stay and develop to fruition.

]]> By: kiwidebz http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578109 kiwidebz Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578109 Nope. If the odds are high, the chances are low. Refer http://blog.quickanddirtytips.com/2011/12/02/are-high-odds-good-or-bad/ Nope. If the odds are high, the chances are low. Refer http://blog.quickanddirtytips.com/2011/12/02/are-high-odds-good-or-bad/

]]> By: datashaman http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578082 datashaman Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578082 You're wrong, he's right. A high number is a low chance. The odds of rain happening today are high, therefore the odds against it happening are low. The odds of getting hit by a meteorite are very low, so the odds against it happening are high. You’re wrong, he’s right. A high number is a low chance.

The odds of rain happening today are high, therefore the odds against it happening are low.

The odds of getting hit by a meteorite are very low, so the odds against it happening are high.

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578079 Nathan Hornby Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578079 "a friend of a Reddit user". It's weird how on Reddit no one ever has their own experiences - and yet their 'friends' encounter crazy shit every single day. “a friend of a Reddit user”.

It’s weird how on Reddit no one ever has their own experiences – and yet their ‘friends’ encounter crazy shit every single day.

]]> By: datashaman http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578075 datashaman Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578075 Odds are usually expressed as the odds AGAINST something happening. A million to one  against is unlikely, two to one against will happen 1/3 of the time. Odds are usually expressed as the odds AGAINST something happening. A million to one  against is unlikely, two to one against will happen 1/3 of the time.

]]> By: jackbird http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578017 jackbird Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578017  Just say "colder"/"warmer"  Just say “colder”/”warmer”

]]> By: de34 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1578013 de34 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1578013 What an excellent marketing strategy, to sprinkle a little fear with a "story" and suddenly sales increase in a market that never before even considered using the product. Fantastic idea! Or I'm incredibly paranoid:) What an excellent marketing strategy, to sprinkle a little fear with a “story” and suddenly sales increase in a market that never before even considered using the product. Fantastic idea! Or I’m incredibly paranoid:)

]]> By: cdh1971 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1577972 cdh1971 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1577972 I guess you're right in principle, but if the girlz had the equipment, some of them might also might piss on random stuff. Wait...teen girls piss on random stuff too, but cultural mores and anatomy cause them to exercise more discretion.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRmvNMUEFZg I guess you’re right in principle, but if the girlz had the equipment, some of them might also might piss on random stuff. Wait…teen girls piss on random stuff too, but cultural mores and anatomy cause them to exercise more discretion.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRmvNMUEFZg

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1577959 dnebdal Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1577959 It's weird what you get used to - I've been sitting around dressed as a viking every second summer for many years now, and it seems entirely normal to me. x) It’s weird what you get used to – I’ve been sitting around dressed as a viking every second summer for many years now, and it seems entirely normal to me. x)

]]> By: Roland Venesz http://boingboing.net/2012/11/08/positive-pregnancy-test-diagno.html#comment-1577958 Roland Venesz Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192668#comment-1577958 It has more to do with them being teenagers than male. You know, the age when you do all kinds of things for the lulz. It has more to do with them being teenagers than male. You know, the age when you do all kinds of things for the lulz.

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