Women Are Suffering Due to Lack of Genetic Testing
There is a gene test that can help prevent and treat ovarian cancer with more success. This test is known as the BRCA gene test, which identifies a mutation that results in a dysfunctional enzyme whose job it to correct DNA mutations.
Because cancer is due to mutations leading to unchecked tumor growth, the loss of this repair mechanism is part of the reason people develop cancer in the first place. It turns out that some people are born with this mutation, putting them at higher risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Women who have the mutation have almost a 60 percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, and a whopping 90 percent higher risk of getting breast cancer. Usually, this mutation runs in families, and is more common among certain ethnic groups. For this reason, people who have blood relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer are encouraged to get this test.
BRCA testing can also identify when more aggressive treatment is needed
The BRCA test can also help when determining the best treatment for ovarian cancer. People with a BRCA mutation may have more aggressive tumors, which means they need more potent therapies earlier on in the course of their disease. It's recommended that all women suffering from ovarian cancer get the BRCA gene test to determine whether they need more aggressive approaches to treatment. Being able to identify people with aggressive tumors can help save thousands of lives.
Many women are not getting the benefits
Unfortunately, a recent study done showed that almost a third of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer missed out on this genetic test. The Ovarian Cancer Action, a charity organization based in the United Kingdom, conducted a research study that showed that these women were not tested despite government recommendations. All ovarian cancer diagnoses should be accompanied by BRCA testing to inform the patient and doctor whether more aggressive treatment is warranted early on. It's estimated that about 15 percent of ovarian cancer cases are linked to the BRCA gene mutation.
BRCA testing can be a real lifesaver. Hollywood beauty Angelina Jolie herself decided to go through prophylactic removal of both her ovaries and breast after discovering she was a carrier for the BRCA1 mutation. Her actions following her positive BRCA gene testing inspired many other women to do the same in the name of their health and survival. Her actions meant that she will prevent the fate that took the life of her mother.
BRCA testing can also protect family members
The gene test is extremely helpful to tell a woman whether she carries the mutated gene that killed their family member. Jolie lost her own mother to ovarian cancer, and the BRCA test enabled her to prevent a similar fate of her own. Women who have blood relatives suffering from breast and ovarian cancer are encouraged to get this test performed. If they do carry the mutation in their genes, they can take steps to prevent the realization of their increased risk. Knowing whether or not you are a carrier of BRCA mutation can also help you with family planning. People who carry the gene mutation have a 50% chance of passing on this increased cancer risk to the next generation.
So why are women missing out?
There are many different reasons for why women might not be getting the genetic test like they should. For one, they might not be aware of what it does, or the fact that they need it. All it takes is a hasty doctor visit and suddenly, that woman was not offered the important genetic test that could potentially save her life. Educating the general public about the use and value of this BRCA test can help improve rates at which it is used properly.
Unfortunately, we don't yet have any cutting-edge technologies that can help us definitively treat it or prevent ovarian cancer. Because of this, we need to use every tool in the toolbox - and that includes the BRCA genetic test. Any woman who has ovarian cancer and was denied the BRCA gene test represents a failure to prevent this disease. Because the treatment of this cancer lags behind other types of cancer, survival of ovarian cancer remains disappointingly low. This is why it's so important for those who are eligible to get this genetic test.
The mission of the Ovarian Cancer Action
One of the missions of Ovarian Cancer Action is to help stop women from dying before their time. This charity based in the United Kingdom has decided to focus their efforts on beating the deadliest gynecologic disease. This includes employing the use of one of the best weapons against the disease - the BRCA gene test. By promoting the use of this test and educating the public about it, they hope that they can improve its proper use and save thousands of lives by preventing ovarian cancer.
The Ovarian Cancer Action organization also strives to raise money for ovarian research. As previously mentioned, one of the biggest roadblocks in ovarian cancer treatment is the lag in research compared to other, high-profile cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. By raising awareness and funds, they hope to push the frontiers of research to help find better treatments for ovarian cancer. The organization also actively seeks out scientists and innovators who can contribute to the field of knowledge in ovarian cancer medicine.
Should you get BRCA gene testing?
The real question of the matter here is whether or not you should get gene tested. There are a few important factors that can make someone eligible for this important screening test. However, it's not really meant to be given out to every woman, especially for those who have a low risk. If you have ovarian or breast cancer, you absolutely should talk to your doctor about getting tested. If you have blood relatives who have had cancer, you should also ask your doctor about getting tested. Certain ethnic groups, such as the Ashkenazi Jewish, should consider being tested as well due to the higher incidence of the gene mutation in these populations. If you're not sure whether or not you fall into one of these categories, it doesn't hurt to bring it up at your next annual check-up with your physician.
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