Plea to test all women over 30 for cancer risk

ALL British women over 30 should be tested for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations to help to save lives and cut costs, research suggests.

Scientists from Barts Cancer Institute at Queen Mary University of London believe that a programme to test the population could result in up to 17,000 fewer ovarian cancers and 64,000 fewer breast cancers.

Those at most risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

Promising

In 2013, film star Angelina Jolie, 42, had a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer after revealing she carries the “faulty” BRCA1 gene.

Researchers compared costs and health benefits of different strategies for genetic testing and found “population-based testing” would prevent more cases than the current approach of screening women with a personal or family history.

Dr Ranjit Manchanda, consultant gynaecological oncologist at Barts Cancer Institute, said: “Our findings support the concept of broadening genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer genes across the entire population.

“This could prevent thousands more breast and ovarian cancers than any current strategy, saving many lives.

“With the costs of testing falling, this approach can ensure more women can take preventative action to reduce their risk or undertake regular screening.”

Carriers of either gene have a 17 to 44 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer and a 69 to 72 per cent chance of developing breast cancer over their lifetime.

For women who do not have the genes, the risk drops to two per cent for ovarian cancer and 12 per cent for breast cancer.

Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of cancer research charity The Eve Appeal, hailed the study as promising and said that it offers “an exciting step forward in prevention”.

The research, supported by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, is published in the Journal Of The National Cancer Institute.