BRCA article from the Business Standard 10/30/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Latha Jishnu: Attack of the gene fiends
By Latha Jishnu / New Delhi 10/29/08
You can follow the link to get the entire story! http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=338616
This article was an eye opener for me. Apparently, the U.S. Patent & Trademark office hands out gene patents & the BRCA testing is done by a “monopoly” American company named Myriad Genetics (they own the patent). A similar thing is happening in Australia where Genetic Technologies, which licenses the breast cancer patents from Myriad, is insisting on similar patent restrictions.This blocks further research by any other company & with no competition there is no regulation on test costs & no competition for new discoveries. Women can’t even donate their mutated BRCA genes for research elsewhere because Myriad holds the patent. Litigation is also not realistic because it is too costly & time consuming. In Europe- the European Society of Human Genetics has suggested the focus should shift to who should develop genetic testing & what intellectual property rights they should have. This will free up more companies to research & develop new things to better our genetic health.
Breast cancer research article from the Heraldextra.com 10/28/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Utah cancer institute leads U.S. in cutting-edge cancer research
By Logan Molyneux – Daily Herald
Follow this link for the entire story: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/286085/3/
Intriguing article about how the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah (privately owned) is dedicated to cancer research & hopeful cures. They are hopeful in the area of “personalized medicine” where the cancer patient receives treatment that has been proven to work specifically on their tumor’s mutation, opposed to conventional treatment everyone gets now. As an example, some specific breast cancer treatment is already in use likeTamoxifen & Herceptin. Some breast cancer tumors grow more because of estrogen-Tamoxifen blocks the tumor’s estrogen receptor & stops its growth. Another breast cancer tumor has too much HER2/NEU protein & the drug Herceptin stops that protein from growing breast cancer tumors.
Researchers feel that when they study the origin of cancer & understand metastisis, doctors will be able to treat people better & eradicate breast cancer. This requires a lot of time & money & government funding for cancer research is not high enough. The article ends by asking us all to donate what we can afford to cancer research & a possible cure.
BRCA article from The-Dispatch.com 10/28/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Genetic cancer marker brings tough choices
By VIKKI BROUGHTON HODGES
You can follow the link to get the entire story: http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20081028/ARTICLES/810280304/1053/sports
What I specifically liked about this article was the stress of the importance of early screening. 98% of women with early stage breast cancer survive, opposed to 26% in advanced stages. Early stage breast & cervical cancers are easiest to treat. It is suggested that women 40 years plus should have a yearly mammography & a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional. Women ages 20-29 are recommended to have a professional breast exam every three years & women 20 years plus should do their own monthly breast exam. Women with a history of breast & ovarian cancer should request a CA125 test as part of their gynecological exam. Pap smears check for cervical cancer. If breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family also discuss BRCA testing with your doctor.
BRCA article from the Daily Herald 10/28/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Certain genetic traits increase incidence
By Ace Stryker at the Daily Herald
Follow the link for the entire story: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/286088/17/
An article telling us that BRCA gene testing costs approximately $3000.00 & is not always a covered insurance expense. However, having the gene mutation can “almost guarantee” an incidence of breast cancer in your lifetime. Knowing, allows you the choice of having a prophylactic mastectomy & or oophorectomys to overcome this risk. Men with the BRCA gene mutation are also at risk of breast & prostate cancer. Knowing they have the gene mutation allows them to be more vigilant about their health also.
Breast cancer awareness article from packetonline.com 10/23/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Regular screenings are a critical issue in breast cancer care
By Rachel Dultz, M.D. Princeton Healthcare System
Follow this link for the whole story: http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/10/24/njhealth/news/doc48dd15244aa46848664424.txt
This is a very informative article about factors which increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer:
“Increasing of age; menstruation at an early age; late age for menopause; never having children or having children later in life; previous breast conditions; obesity; smoking; alcohol use; family history-genetics.”
Early detection is stressed. Women 40 plus- get a mammography yearly. Women aged 20-39 should have a professional breast exam every three years & everyone should perform monthly breast exams at home. Women with a history of breast cancer start at age 30 & perhaps consider genetic counseling & testing for the BRCA gene mutation. If a positive gene mutation is detected a patient will have a choice of vigilant screenings; chemotherapy drugs; or prophylactic mastectomy & or oophorectomy.
Breast cancer info from jconline.com 10/21/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Breast cancer surgery Dr. Richard Berg is a General Surgeon at Clarian Arnett Health.
By Dr. Bob Martin
Short advertisement in article form…follow this link… http://www.jconline.com/article/20081021/LIFE0302/310210001/-1/FRONTPAGEMAJOR
A short easy article defining: lumpectomy, mastectomy & lymph node testing. My favorite sentence was “an important factor in emotionally surviving breast cancer is to have an active role in treatment decisions.”
BRCA article from the dailyherald.com 10/20/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
More parents ponder cancer gene tests for kids
The link to the entire article: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=243953&src=120
There is a growing trend to go for BRCA testing since the insurance companies are covering the expense & a new law bans discrimination if it is found that you carry the mutated gene. Once people find out that they have the mutated gene, it is common to worry if it has been passed down to their children. Do they get tested & when is the question since these offspring have a 50-50 chance of having inherited the defective gene. Women with the BRCA mutation have a three to seven times greater fisk of developing breast cancer & a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Men are predisposed to prostate, pancreatic & other types of cancer. There is a lot of controversy on this subject. Many experts say wait until age 25 & over. Some families want their children tested immediately. Some say wait until they have had their own families already. Some say talk to teenagers from these high risk families so they make more positive lifestyle choices (no smoking, drugs, alcohol, birth control pills.)
Right now the only method there is to lower the risk once you find out that you have a positive BRCA mutation is to consider anti-estrogen drugs or having a mastectomy & oophorectomy. These are drastic measures so does one take the test & find out or wait?
BRCA Article from the Examiner.com 10/18/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
The Probability of breast cancer
By Peggy Kraus, Fitness E xaminer
The link to the entire article can be found at: http://www.examiner.com/x-672-Fitness-Examiner~y2008m10d18-The-probability-of-breast-cancer
It is estimated that 1 in 500 or .2% of people carry the BRCA mutation & half of these people do not get breast cancer. The writer reports that good lifestyle choices such as eating properly & being active will further reduce your risk. The article recommends a plant based diet because animal products such as chicken & dairy have been associated with a higher cancer risk.
BRCA Article from live5news.com 10/17/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Men with breast cancer fight uphill battle
Finally an article about men & breast cancer! The link can be found at: http://www.live5news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9197790
Awareness & education is important: Not only can men get breast cancer, they can pass it down to their children!
BRCA Article from wsls.com 10/14/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Is Breast Cancer in Your Genes?
You can follow the link to get the entire story!
http://www.wsls.com/sls/lifestyles/health_med_fit/article/is_breast_cancer_in_your_genes/19303/
The article is written by Mary Shedden from Media General News Service on October 14, 2008.
When someone you know & love gets diagnosed with breast cancer it often is a reminder for others to go and get checked! Besides a mammogram, sonogram & MRI, there is now genetic testing.
The test is very expensive & Myriad Genetics Inc. is the lab with the ability to identify the BRCA gene. It is a simple blood test. (You should also check with your insurance company as to their coverage policy.) You also need genetic counseling before & after getting tested for the BRCA gene mutation. Having a positive gene mutation is not the same as getting cancer, but you still need to make decisions. This is best made with a professional. They are trained to determine your chances & percentages of getting cancer after assessing your family history.
Should you get tested? Yes…If you have 2 or more family members with a history of breast & or ovarian cancer especially if the family member was diagnosed before the age of 50. Another criteria is if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. One in forty Ashkenazi Jews are genetically predisposed to breast/ovarian cancer. Everyone has BRCA genes but only a small amount of people wind up with mutated ones- the highest incidence being in Ashkenazi Jews.
Whether or not hereditary breast /ovarian cancer is in your family….GO GET CHECKED REGULARLY!