The prominent scientist and geneticist, Marie-Claire King,
who identified the first breast cancer gene is now urging all women to be
tested for the genetic mutations that can lead to breast cancer. Her and her colleagues
believe that no matter the woman’s personal or family history, that she be
offered genetic testing for those mutated genes.
For the most part, doctors
will only recommend women to be tested for the breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and
BRCA2, if cancer runs in their families. However, it has been found that around
fifty percent of women who carry mutations in their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have
no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Marie-Claire King, along with
her fellow colleagues, conducted a study that found that over 400 women that had no family history of this
mutation, but carried it themselves, had the same high risk of getting breast cancer from
the mutated genes. For this reason, King feels strongly that it is time for all women to be
screened.
Opposers, however, state that some women that have these
mutations never actually end up getting breast cancer and that the very serious
surgeries that go along with the removal of the mutations can do more harm than
good. Still, I completely agree with King. I think that all
women should get tested for these genetic mutations because the worst
thing it can do is make you aware of something that can be very dangerous if
not treated. The decision as to what the women want to do with the information
is completely in their hands. If they decide to get a mastectomy or not, at
least they are aware of what is going on inside their body. With the information offered by the wider genetic screening for breast cancer,
women can make decisions that can ultimately prolong and better their overall
quality of life.
Article Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/08/346770167/researcher-urges-wider-genetic-screening-for-breast-cancer
Amanda, I completely agree with you and geneticist Marie-Claire King that ALL women should be screened for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. According to the Susan G. Komen website, women with a BRCA1 mutation have a 50-70% chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 70, and women with a BRCA2 mutation have a 40-60% chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 70. If women with these mutations were aware of their increased risk of developing breast cancer, they may be able to seek preventive measures as serious as a mastectomy or simple as diet improvements. If all women begin to be screened for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, I think it will be crucial that doctors educate women on the gene. Women need to be aware that just because they test positive for the mutation does not mean they will develop breast cancer.
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