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Many women neglect important follow-up examinations for breast and ovarian cancer
When women have a history of breast or ovarian cancer, it is often unclear whether there is an increased risk of recurrence of the dangerous disease. Researchers found that a simple genetic test can determine if affected women with a previous cancer have a mutation that increases the likelihood of cancer recurrence. The problem is that most affected women never have such a test done.
Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) investigated the use of a genetic test that detects a mutation in women that may lead to disease recurrence after cancer of the breast or ovary. The doctors published a press release on the results of their study.
Breast cancer and ovarian cancer cost the lives of many women every year. After a successful cancer, a simple test could indicate the risk of a new disease. Unfortunately, most affected women never do such a test. (Image: Markus Mainka / fotolia.com) Information about breast and ovarian cancer
Breast cancer usually affects women and men only rarely notice it. In Western society, this form of the disease is the most common form of cancer in women. There is no cancer in women, which leads to more deaths. The risk factors for breast cancer can be both hereditary and a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle. Ovarian cancer is itself a very aggressive form of cancer. In addition, a so-called ovarian cancer is often diagnosed far too late, because for a long time no symptoms occur.
How many women carry such mutations in themselves?
Most women with breast or ovarian cancer do not get the opportunity to have an important genetic test to determine if they are at an increased risk of disease recurrence, say the researchers. Up to ten percent of women who have or had breast cancer and up to 15 percent of those with a history of ovarian cancer, according to the researchers carry the inheritable gene mutations in itself. These mutations indicate a higher risk of cancer recurrence.
Most women never perform the test
The mutagen detection test actually only requires blood or saliva. However, the study found that 70 percent of breast cancer patients and 80 percent of ovarian cancer patients in the US are eligible for such a test, but have never performed a test.
For example, testing can lead to lifestyle changes
The physicians tried to find out in their study, which women carry such a genetic change, explains author Dr. Christopher Childers. Such information makes it easier to make important decisions about treatment or surgery. The test could also help detect cancer early and focus on lifestyle changes to prevent the disease from progressing.
Researchers interview more than 47,000 subjects
For the study, more than 47,000 women were asked if they had taken part in such a test. Based on this data, it was then assessed why patients are often not sufficiently informed in a conversation about the test. Physicians and patients both need to make more efforts to fill that information gap, say the experts. Doctors should inform women about their history of cancer and ask them about previous genetic tests.
Test has been available for several years
Patients with a history of breast or ovarian cancer should ask their doctors about the genetic test, even if the condition was diagnosed many years ago. The mutations detected by the assay can affect the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the researchers explain. The tests for these mutations have been around since the mid-1990s, but science, test guidelines and test availability have since developed significantly, the experts report. Some patients want to know the potential risks for themselves and their families so they can take action to prevent future cancers. Other people are more likely to have the attitude: Ignorance is bliss, say the authors. (As)