The BRACA 1 and BRACA 2 genes for hereditary breast cancer are the only genes currently diagnosable. This means if you are tested for the genes and you have it your chances of getting breast cancer increase greatly as well as your chance of ovarian cancer in your lifetime compared to the general public. But and here is the debate and the big ‘but’, you have to go through genetic counseling and take the genetic test to find out if you even have the genes.To some women this seems straight-forward. They know they have a history of breast cancer on their Father’s side and/or their Mother’s side of the family so they see the geneticist specializing in breast cancer found at major urban hospitals.
Let me put up the common road blocks that makes this situation anything but straight-forward; Money, time, insurance, and knowledge.
The test will be administered after counseling which takes time.
The counseling is after a doctor recommends this to you which is insurance.
The test is not 100% covered by insurance which is the money component.
The knowledge component is the big roadblock for many women. What do you do if you find out you are positive for the gene? Remember the positive outcome of the gene does not say you will get breast or ovarian cancer, but that your chances are higher than the general public.
My opinion is that this is a very important issue for women who are in their mid 20’s and 30’s and are thinking of having children. If a woman in this age group tests positive she can make changes. She can opt to harvest her eggs for a later date, have children as soon as possible or opt to have prophylactic surgeries. These are not changes in diet, exercise or life-style changes, but life altering changes!
Currently there are 250,000 women living in the USA who were diagnosed with breast cancer before age 41. Usually their cancer is a more aggressive form. The financial burden and emotional costs of cancer are difficult to measure at any stage of life but even more difficult to measure in a young woman. Extrapolate this to a young woman who is healthy but has a family history. Do you push her to have the counseling and to take the test?
Many women give the reason why they don’t get a yearly mammogram is because they are afraid of the results. Ignorance is bliss is a common reason of non-action for many. With that in mind how would you react to the genetic counseling and test? What would you suggest to your friends, sisters, or daughter if they fit the criteria for genetic cancer?
4 comments:
Haralee - I have done a baseline mammogram, but I am scared to death of the genetic test. You raise great points, but I think fear would eat me alive .....
For me - the knowledge is the problem. Ugh - But I know that I should do it. Rachel
It is scary stuff but vigilence is key. If you can do a comprehensive family history, ie what exactly was the disease that took Grandma or Grandpa,autie, great uncle,etc. that helps.
Fear is tough but knowledge is power.
While I don't have a history of cancer (other than one chain smoker) on either side of my family, I realize I can still be at risk. I'll be in for a regular check up with my dr soon, and will be sure to discuss this with her.
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