A few years ago, my mother called with an urgent request…She wanted me to get tested…I immediately said no.
BRCA1 and 2 are some of the most powerful cancer markers scientists have discovered…When I got that call from my mom, though, I shut her down. Because while BRCA is a powerful tool to estimate risk, it’s not a crystal ball.
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So let’s say I did. If I tested positive, the statistics would push me toward removing my breasts and ovaries. Data suggests that surgery can increase survival in people with confirmed BRCA mutations.
There’s a problem with those rates, though: They’re largely based on families with a history of breast and ovarian cancer. The rates might not apply to other women.
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Related on the SLP
Humans just can’t manage fear…Patients are petrified. Then they take drastic, potentially harmful—and sometimes unnecessary—action.
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Genetic tests could mislead patients in the same way. The torrent of information buried in…our chromosomes will become more and more powerful, but it will never provide simple answers.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Why I Won’t Get The Genetic Test For Breast Cancer
