Predictive genetic tests for cancer risk

Ever since Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy people have become more aware about the genes that increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

Jolie had one of the abnormal genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 which can run through a family.

Both greatly increase a woman’s chances of breast cancer and ovarian cancer – and a man’s chance of prostate cancer and male breast cancer.

Discuss your concerns with your doctor if you have cancer that runs in your family. He or she will suggest you have a genetic test.

This test will show if you have inherited one of the cancer genes. If so, your risk is substantially increased.

Women with faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are five time more likely to develop breast cancer.

THE TEST

First, a relative with cancer will be given a diagnostic blood test to see if there’s a cancer risk gene.

If the test is positive, you can have the predictive genetic test to see if you have the same faulty gene. If your result is positive, it means you’ve inherited a faulty gene that raises your risk of developing cancer.

But don’t think it means you’ll definitely get cancer. It doesn’t.

Only you can decide to have the test. It’s a personal decision and knowing your results can have advantages and disadvantages.

PROS

Knowing the result may bring you peace of mind and relieve the stress and anxiety that comes from not knowing.

CONS

Some people only want to be told if they actually develop cancer and would rather not know about their risk beforehand.