Too many average-risk women and too few high-risk women receivegenetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers , research shows. Experts at The University of Texas MD AndersonCancer Center share advice to help patients and their doctorsbetter evaluate family history and make more sound decisions aboutwho should be tested. "If you find out you're the right candidate for genetic testing,one benefit of learning you have a mutation is that you and yourdoctor can work together to monitor and address your cancer risks," said Karen Lu, M.D., co-medical director of the ClinicalCancer Genetics program at MD Anderson. "This can help preventcancer or find it early, when it's most treatable." Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are much more likely toget breast and ovarian cancers. Men with these mutations face anincreased risk of breast cancer and possibly pancreatic and early-onset prostate cancers . Focus on close blood relatives. But, only about 5 to 10% of cancer cases are due to an inheritedcause. So, the chances that the disease "runs in the family" areslim, even if several family members have had cancer. Before jumping to conclusions, Lu suggests focusing on first-degreeblood relatives (parents, siblings, children) and second-degreerelatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews). Women are twice as likely to develop breast cancer if one or moreof these relatives have had the disease. Breast cancer risk is evenhigher if the disease has appeared in multiple generations on thesame side of the family. "For example, breast cancer probably doesn't run in the family ifyour mother's sister and father's sister had breast cancer," Lusaid. Size up these relatives' personal cancer histories. Testing for BRCA mutations may be appropriate if one or more closeblood relatives were diagnosed with: the same type of cancer, a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, breast or ovarian cancer before age 50, both breast and ovarian cancer, or male breast cancer The chances for a BRCA mutation is even higher for people ofAshkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent with one or morerelatives who fit this description. Speak with a genetic counselor. If one or more close blood relatives fit these criteria, ask adoctor for a genetic counseling referral. A genetic counselor candiscuss the risks and benefits of genetic testing. If genetic testing is appropriate, the best person to test isusually the person with cancer. "After we identify the mutationthat caused their cancer, we can test first-degree relativesmother, sisters, daughters to see if they also carry it," Lu said. Carefully weigh testing's pros and cons. It's also important to consider family members' feelings. That'sbecause the test results may forecast their cancer risks as well. "No matter what you decide, remember that finding out you have agene mutation doesn't mean you'll definitely get cancer," Lu said."And, learning you don't have a gene mutation doesn't guaranteethat you won't get cancer." Additional References Citations. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Glass Bead Bracelet , Glass Piercing Jewelry Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Glass Handicrafts today!
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