Genetic testing for cancer risk gaining popularity
Even though many medical groups aren’t supportive of certain types of genetic testing, research shows that the next generation will probably not feel that way. A new study shows that children of people with certain mutations that may make them more susceptible to developing breast or ovarian cancer later in life are heartily in favor of genetic testing for these markers.
Dr. Angela Bradbury, of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and her colleagues interviewed 53 people (all parents) with BRCA mutations and 22 adult children of those parents. The researchers found that 40 percent of the parents and children supported genetic testing of minors, with half of those in favor only under certain circumstances.
Meanwhile, a majority of the adult children — potential consumers of genetic testing — supported the idea.
Wouldn’t you, if you were in that situation? I’d sure like to know if I had the mutations that might mean I was more likely to have cancer! It’s not so much that they could do much about it, but I’d rather know that it might be my reality than to be totally blindsided by it later on.
I suppose a lot of it has to do with our generation and any after us being much more comfortable with the whole idea. I mean, genetics was a large segment of my AP Biology class in high school. It wasn’t some science fiction concept - it was hands-on reality. To my grandparents, the idea is nearly incomprehensible, and even my parents don’t know much about genetics as a whole. Maybe that’s the difference in relative comfort levels and support for this testing.
The study’s authors admit that more needs to be done to study the potential benefits and drawbacks of early genetic testing for predisposition to cancer.
Posted by Sunshine.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Interesting.
My (non-smoker) dad passed away of lung cancer. Recently, at my ultrasound, the geneticist gave me a whole speech on getting genetically tested. It got me thinking. But, Im not sure how I feel about it. Maybe later. I dont think Im ready to have all the info, when in the end, it may not be conclusive. (Ie, just having the gene doesnt mean you WILL get it, and not having it doesnt mean you absolutely WONT). I am sure it depends on the type of testing and the potential use of the results, but Im just not ready for that.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I am 100% for genetic testing. I agree that having the gene doesn’t mean that you WILL and not having it doesn’t mean you absolutely WON’T get it BUT if you have the gene it may set you up for earlier screenings and in most cases catching it as early as possible gives you a very good chance of survival.
My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age 30 and after a 10 year battle passed away at the age of 40 leaving her husband and son. Because of this we have had the genetic testing done and as it turns out we do not carry the “cancer gene”. I am happy to have this info and know that it doesn’t mean I’m not going to get it but it sure eases my mind to know I am not genentically predisposed.