Angelina Jolie Effects Women Are Checked For Breast Cancer Prevalence

"Angelina Jolie Effect": women can be tested for breast cancer predisposition
In Germany, more and more women are being tested for predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. Within a year, the numbers have doubled. The increase is also associated with a "Angelina Jolie effect". The actress had her breasts amputated as a precaution.

Numbers have doubled
In Germany, more and more women are genetically examined for suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Within a year, the numbers in Germany have almost doubled, as the Association of Ersatzkassen (vdek) announced. Accordingly, the cases increased from 2013 to 2014 at 13 of the previously 15 counseling centers from around 1,700 to about 3,100. "The information needs of women for qualified diagnostics, counseling, therapy and aftercare is great," writes the vdek in a press release.

Hollywood star as a role model
According to the health insurances, public announcements by prominent persons such as Angelina Jolie are partly responsible for the increase. The Hollywood star had amputated both breasts in 2013. In a genetic test, the actress had discovered the breast cancer risk gene BRCA-1. In addition, she had an increased familial risk because her mother had died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56. After this became known, in several countries the number of women who could be examined as a precaution increased. Health experts called Angelina Jolie a role model for breast cancer prevention, with a so-called "Angelina Jolie effect". A few months ago, the actress had also had her ovaries removed.

Good advice before serious decisions
"The diagnosis of a hereditary predisposition for breast and ovarian cancer has far-reaching consequences for already ill women, but also for their relatives. Good advice, optimal genetic diagnosis and a meaningful risk prognosis are therefore essential before often serious decisions can be made ", Andrea Hahne, chair of the BRCA network - Help with familial breast and ovarian cancer e.V., quotes in the press release.

Many diseases attributed to genetic factors
Every year around 70,000 women in Germany contract breast cancer. More and more men are getting breast cancer; About 700 women die from ovarian cancer every year. Health experts point out that ovarian cancer is more dangerous than breast cancer. According to the vdek report, the cause of the onset of the disease is a congenital genetic defect in five to ten percent of those affected, for example by mutation of the BRCA1 / 2 genes. It is now believed that up to a quarter of breast and ovarian cancers is due to genetic factors. (Ad)