Cancer Crystal Ball Could Help My Family and Yours

The Globe and Mail Saturday reported about a Cancer test that can be a genetic crystal ball for Jewish women.

"For the first time in Canada, Jewish women will be offered the chance to alter their genetic destiny by taking a test - at no cost to them - that will determine whether they are at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

By screening for three inherited breast cancer gene mutations common to those of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, Women's College Research Institute scientists have an ambitious goal: to prevent the dreaded disease before it strikes."

This development comes after decades of worry - often followed by diagnoses of ovarian or breast cancer - and too often death - for women around the world.

Some surmised that they were at risk for cancer because their mothers of close family were struck by early, swift growing, sometimes quick killing cancers. Nearly none knew exactly what their risks were.

And until Canada took this groundbreaking step, women have gone through years of jumping through hoops to get anyone to hear their questions or fears; much less adequately answer them.

This strikes way too close to home

I've been discussing this genetic time bomb with an online friend who had a series of  prophylactic surgeries because of her genetic status combined with some precursor symptoms that did not mean cancer but meant: probably cancer down the road.

And all the time I've been thinking and wondering - will we ever know the possibilities that might await my own family? Because of the kind of cancer I have my surgeon recommended that my daughters have ultrasound breast studies and not rely on mammograms which did not pick up my cancer even when it was a 5cm entanglement of cells running through my breast.

And remember my elder granddaughter who will soon be ten? The "basket case" video granddaughter has a double risk. Both of her grandmothers have had breast cancer. On her father's side her grandparents are of Eastern European Jewish descent which may mean the BRCA gene. Of course my concern is that she will never know.

Life's journey has never been easy and there are no guarantees.But perhaps this move in Canada will make a difference for some.

I'll be following up with more links and resources as I learn, and perhaps help others learn as well, about genetic links to breast cancer and how women deal with the risks, the uncertainties and the realities.

Comments

[Eden Spodek]

The BRCA gene is found in women on many backgrounds and not exclusive to those of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. When I attended a support group of 10 women, half of us were Ashkenazi. The other women were of Italian, Middle Eastern, Slavic and British descent.

Hopefully there will be a better proactive solution before your granddaughters are old enough to be concerned about breast cancer.

[andy]

Has anyone in your family been tested for the BRCA genes yet? My mom - who's both a breast cancer and ovarian cancer survivor - is a BRCA 2 carrier. And now that I have a baby daughter, I'm planning to get myself tested as well. Depending on the insurance company, you might be able to get it covered. And if you're worried about the insurance co knowing about the results, you could always have them wait until the recently passed genetics privacy law kicks in to full effect.

[Eden Spodek]

Yes, I have been tested. You can read my story here: http://susanreynolds.blogs.com/boobsonice/2008/05/a-healthy-woman.html

Andy, You're a smart guy - and a responsible parent too. Good for you for thinking about Kayleigh's future.

But to answer your question, I haven't been tested, in fact I my insurance company is balking at even doing a test that has been recommended to predict likelihood of future recurrences. I'm hoping that as my daughters get to the point that they feel they need testing either insurance providers will be more enlightened or we'll have voters insisting that testing be covered by insurance.

But in my case, as http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/genetic/new_research/20050330.jsp points out,
"Because the Oncotype DX test is so new, many health insurance companies have not yet decided whether or not to cover it. The test costs about $3,500"

I'm already spending more money than I have, and putting my family in debt to predict my future just isn't in the cards. If I were younger - maybe. And if I were advising others, I'd say - have the test.