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!