Column by Justin Glaze: Breast cancer susceptibility testing

by Justin Glaze Cat Walk Chatt

Recently there have been many reports about Angelina Jolie having undergone a double mastectomy due to a familial history of breast cancer. The CDC's most recent report in 2009 indicated that 211,731 women were diagnosed with breast cancer that year, while 40,676 women died of the disease. This subject hits home with many people, because it affects those we love dearly: our wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters. This week lets take a look at genetic testing as it pertains to breast cancer.

The human genes discussed in the news recently are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which stand for Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 and 2. These two human genes are known as tumor suppressors, and they normally function by limiting the overgrowth of cells and ensure stability of DNA. When there is a mutation of these genes, increased growth of breast and ovarian cancer can occur. Men can also have mutations of these genes which increases the risk of pancreatic, testicular and prostate cancer. An important fact to note about these genetic tests is that they do not diagnose cancer, they only give your doctor an idea of the risk you have of developing cancer.

As with Angelina Jolie's case, even if someone is found to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, their breast tissue can be found to have benign cells, which are harmless. In addition, not all women who have breast cancer received the disease because of one of these genetic mutations.

While having a BRCA1/2 mutation doesn't absolutely mean you will develop breast cancer, studies show that nearly 60 percent of women with this mutation will. This is much higher than the 12 percent of the general population who are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have been found at a higher rate in certain ethnicities including Jewish, Norwegian, Dutch and Icelandic women. There are also higher mutation rates in many women, regardless of ethnicity, when two or more close relatives have been diagnosed with breast cancer before. While increased BRCA1/2 occurrences are found in these ethnicities, it is currently not known if this truly translates into higher occurrences of breast cancer.

If you'd like to look into having this test performed, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns. Discussing familial patterns of cancer and other illnesses will help aid your doctor in looking into having preventive testing done. Check back next week, when we look at options available for those with positive results to BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing.

Justin Glaze is an LPN and contributing columnist for the Walker County Messenger. He can be reached at 678-988-1011 or jglazelpn@yahoo.com.

Source: http://walkermessenger.com/bookmark/22653170

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