GENETIC TESTING BREAST CANCER
GENETIC TESTING BREAST CANCER
Data-driven medicine will evermore contribute to the control of cancer thanks to a deeper knowledge of genetics and disease. Cancer is not usually inherited but some types that include breast cancer can be linked to the genetic make-up of either one or both parents, to cause a family history of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are a case in point. In mutated forms, they are both heavily related to an increase in breast cancer risk. But they are not the only genes.
In recent studies, more than 100 new gene variants have been identified as connected to an increased risk of breast cancer. Individually, the risks may be low but when combined, could become aggressive breast cancers.
As a mutated BRCA 1 carrier, you or your partner could also pass on that altered version to any of your children.
WHAT IF YOU KNOW CANCER RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY?
SPEAK TO YOUR GP IF YOU ARE WORRIED.
- IN THE UK, YOU MAY BE REFERRED TO A LOCAL GENETICS SERVICE FREE UNDER THE NHS.
- IN THE US THERE ARE SOME INSURANCE PROTECTIONS. SO DON’T LET THE WORRY OF COST STOP YOU FROM A GENETIC SCREENING TEST IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT.
- IN THE BAHAMAS, A NATIONAL GENETIC SCREENING PROGRAMM IS BEING OFFERED TO BAHAMIAN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER. IT IS EXPECTED THAT INEXPENSIVE NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING WILL BE INCLUDED TO OFFER UNIVERSAL GENETIC TESTING FOR THE BRCA 1 AND BRCA 2 GENE.
ADVANTAGES
- You’ll know where you stand which will put you back in control of the decisions you make.
- You can make certain lifestyle changes before it’s too late.
- Whether it’s late or not, you can make decisions with your eyes wide open.
- You can lower your risk by having regular screening and preventative treatment.
- You’re free from the worry of not knowing.
DISADVANTAGES
- Not all results are conclusive even with a genetic test. This could be because of the number of gene variants present. Doctors might not know the extent of a particular gene variable.
- Being made aware of a positive result means you cannot un-know it. This could cause you permanent anxiety. It is the reason why some people prefer not to know.
WHAT DOES GENETIC TESTING INVOLVE?
IT’S A TWO-STAGE TEST:
- First, family history must be established.
- A relative with cancer will give a blood test to see if they have a cancer risk gene. (Takes about 3 weeks in the US. Takes about 6 – 8 weeks in the UK).
- You can be tested ONLY if the relative’s test is positive for that faulty gene.
- In the UK, your GP will refer you to a local genetics service for a blood test.
- You must have a copy of your relative’s test results. (Take 2 – 4 weeks).
NB: There are some rare occasions when the genetic test has not found the faulty gene.
POSITIVE – A genetic change is known to cause disease was found.
NEGATIVE – A genetic change is known to cause disease was NOT found.
- Perhaps the wrong test was ordered or there is no ‘genetic’ explanation for a particular group of symptoms.
- A ‘true negative’ occurs when there is a NON-INHERITED genetic change in the family as far as the person tested is concerned. Your family has it but you don’t.
- If your test results are negative and there is no known genetic change in your family, a negative test result may not give you a definite answer. This is because you might not have been tested for the genetic change that runs in your family.
UNCERTAIN – It’s difficult to be sure with any new or uncertain variant in terms of its significance. Maybe there’s just not enough information about its impact to know whether it’s cancerous or not…yet.
IS GENETIC TESTING ACCURATE FOR BREAST CANCER?
Genetic testing is NOT 100% accurate.
If a test is negative, a person still has a chance of getting breast cancer. If the test is positive, there is still a 15 per cent to 20 per cent chance of not getting breast cancer.
Genetic testing is COSTLY, ranging from about $400 to more than $3,000, depending on the type of test you opt for. Costs about £1,500 in the UK.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY RELATIVES?
- If you don’t know your family history or know there are no affected relatives available, a full test may still be available to you.
- You must have at least a 10 per cent chance of having a faulty gene like BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 (in the UK). Normally, early onset breast cancer will be present in your family history before you’ll granted the test (Can take over 8 weeks).
- In the US the BRCA gene testis offered to those who are likely to have an inherited mutation based on personal, or family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. The BRCA gene test isn’t routinely performed on people at average risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
POSITIVE RESULTS
Although this means you have a faulty gene that raises the risk of you developing breast cancer, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE GOING TO GET CANCER! This is only part of a very important story to your overall health but by no means, the entire one. There’s other stuff like,
- Your general quality of your life
- Your medical history
- Your environment
AT THE SAME TIME BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- If you have one of the faulty BRCA genes, there is a 50 per cent chance you will pass this on to any children you have plus a 50 per cent chance that each of your siblings also have it.
- You may want to discuss your results with other members of your family, who may also be affected.
- Genetics counsellors will discuss with you how a positive or negative result will affect your life and your relationships with your family.
- In the UK, INSURANCE COMPANIES CANNOT ASK YOU to disclose the results of predictive genetic tests for the majority of policies, but this may change in the future.
There are worries about DATA PRIVACY & ACCURACY that you need to know whether you’re in the UK, the US or living in anywhere else in the world – especially from a black perspective.
TAKING A ‘DO-IT-YOURSELF’ DNA TEST KIT
If you decide to do-it-yourself genetic test for breast cancer, schedule an appointment with your doctor ahead of time to discuss what you should do with the results when they come in.
If you have a friend or family member you feel comfortable sharing this experience with, explain your plan and ask if you can count on their support.
MANAGING RISK
If you have the faulty BRCA1/2 gene, it’s time to heighten your awareness in the self-examination of your breasts. I know some of us don’t know how to feel our own breasts and check for lumps and bumps, but now is the time to learn. And stare at your body in the mirror and make sure you get to know more closely what your entire body looks. LOOK, FEEL AND TOUCH YOURSELF.
PLEASE NOTE, MOST BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSES HAVE BEEN FOUND BY A SELF-EXAMINATION SO DO GET ON WITH IT. LOOK, FEEL AND TOUCH TO SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE.
- This advice applies to men with a faulty BRCA2 gene too, as they are also at increased risk of breast cancer (albeit to a lesser extent).
- In the case of breast cancer, annual mammograms (ask for the better Tomosynthesis (3D) mammography called DBT), Ultrasound and MRI Scans to help monitor your condition to CATCH CANCER EARLY, BEFORE IT HAS A CHANCE TO DEVELOP.
- Detecting breast cancer at an early stage means it may be easier to treat. The chance of making a full recovery from breast cancer, especially if it is detected early, significantly increases.
IF YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT BREAST CANCER LOOKS LIKE WHEN LEFT UNTREATED, PLEASE CLICK NAKED TRUTHS.
