BRCA article from topcancernews.com 10/20/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
How women cope with the results of BRCA testing for hereditary breast cancer
By Robert White
Follow the link for the entire article: http://www.topcancernews.com/news/1843/1/How-women-cope-with-the-results-of-BRCA-testing-for-hereditary-breast-cancer
Women with negative BRCA results had the lowest rates of worry & cancer related distress. Women who had inconclusive results (have no genetic mutation currently known to increase breast cancer risk) had similar levels of distress as those who tested BRCA positive. All women had less stress after being tested than before. The women with inconclusive results may still be at risk for breast cancer because of unrecognized mutations or other risk factors associated with family history of breast cancer. BRCA testing is stressful & best done with a genetic counselor who can help evaluate the results.
BRCA & Breast Cancer research article from the ScienceDaily.com 11/2/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
New Tumor Inhibitor for Treatment of Hereditary Breast Cancer Shows Promising Results in Mouse Model.Journal reference:Sven Rottenberg, Janneke E. Jaspers, Ariena Kersbergen, Eline van der Burg, Anders O. H. Nygren, Serge A. L. Zander, Patrick W. B. Derksen, Michiel de Bruin, John Zevenhoven, Alan Lau, Robert Boulter, Aaron Cranston, Mark J. O’Connor, Niall M. B. Martin, Piet Borst, and Jos Jonkers. High sensitivity of BRCA1-deficient mammary tumors to the PARP inhibitor AZD2281 alone and in combination with platinum drugs. PNAS Online Early Edition, October 29, 2008
Netherlands Cancer Institute (2008, November 2). New Tumor Inhibitor For Treatment Of Hereditary Breast Cancer Shows Promising Results In Mouse Model. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/10/081030075651.htm
Full article at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030075651.htm
Researchers of the Netherlands Cancer Institute have recently started human trials of an “inhibitor” AZD2281 to stop breast cancer in BRCA1 gene mutations. This inhibitor developed drug resistance long term in the mouse model but was reversed after using another inhibitor, so researchers feel the AZD2281 helps make it more effective. This mouse model is a good test for future new anti-cancer drugs.
BRCA & Breast Cancer research article from The Jewish Daily forward.com 10/30/08
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Scientific Advances Looking to Stop “Cancer Gene”
By Nathaniel Popper
Follow this link for the entire story: http://www.forward.com/articles/14478/
The past 10 years researchers have identified BRCA positive patients & have treated them prophylactically. Now science is going in another direction & they want to know how the gene causes cancer & how it can be prevented. An Australian researcher by the name of Georgia Chenevix-Trench is one of the leaders of this research. There is also a research team being run out of New York University called the Jewish Women’s Breast & Ovarian Cancer Genetics study (from the Jewish Women’s Foundation). The want to know why some BRCA positive women get cancer & some do not & how this cancer process can be stopped- they have a team collecting DNA samples (spit samples-instead of blood) from older Jewish women (at Hadassah lunches & book clubs.) Harry Ostrer is the lead geneticist of this study. Both these researchers are collecting & analyzing these BRCA genes to find out what the BRCA positive women who don’t get breast cancer have that the women who get breast cancer don’t have! Yet at the University of Chicago’s Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics researcher Olufunmilayo Olopade (overseer of drug trials) they are testing a drug that can target defective cells caused by the BRCA gene mutation. Also new, researchers can look at an entire genetic code rather than just a single site. This enables doctors to see whether other genes might interact with the BRCA genes to cause cancer. Another ambitious study is going on at the University of Cambridge called the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 or CIMBA. Here they are hoping to find the genes that decrease the prevalence of BRCA positive people getting cancer. The researchers hope that these discoveries will also aid other areas of cancer research.
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.
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.
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!