Broader Gene Tests for Breast, Ovarian Cancer Might Benefit Some: Study
Broader Gene Tests for Breast, Ovarian Cancer Might Benefit Some: Study
Women who don't have BRCA mutations could have other high-risk genes that affect treatment choices
But not much is known about the cancer risk posed by all these other genes, the cancer experts said. And doctors without proper training in genetics might find it hard to provide quality information for patients.
"We say information is power, and I think it is for many patients, but we don't always know what to do with the information," Bernik said. "With these other genes, the risk is often low to intermediate. If the risk is lower, at what point does the risk become enough to tell a woman that prophylactic surgery is the best route?"
Lichtenfeld agreed, adding that, "in practical terms, the question is, are we ready for this in the everyday practice of medicine?"
Ellisen believes that only women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should undergo genetic testing at this time. He added that the genetic testing must be combined with the woman's personal and family history to produce a nuanced assessment of her cancer risk.
"If that information is conveyed inappropriately to patients, they may think they have something bad when really they don't have anything bad at all," he said.
Once more is known about all of these genes, there may come a day when genetic testing becomes a broad standard of care for all people, starting with a test conducted on newborns, Lichtenfeld said.
"We're certainly not there yet," he said. "All of this is a learning process, and we're still very much in that mode of finding out what all of this really means."
Broader BRCA Mutation Gene Test May Help Some
Women who don't have BRCA mutations could have other high-risk genes that affect treatment choices
But not much is known about the cancer risk posed by all these other genes, the cancer experts said. And doctors without proper training in genetics might find it hard to provide quality information for patients.
"We say information is power, and I think it is for many patients, but we don't always know what to do with the information," Bernik said. "With these other genes, the risk is often low to intermediate. If the risk is lower, at what point does the risk become enough to tell a woman that prophylactic surgery is the best route?"
Lichtenfeld agreed, adding that, "in practical terms, the question is, are we ready for this in the everyday practice of medicine?"
Ellisen believes that only women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should undergo genetic testing at this time. He added that the genetic testing must be combined with the woman's personal and family history to produce a nuanced assessment of her cancer risk.
"If that information is conveyed inappropriately to patients, they may think they have something bad when really they don't have anything bad at all," he said.
Once more is known about all of these genes, there may come a day when genetic testing becomes a broad standard of care for all people, starting with a test conducted on newborns, Lichtenfeld said.
"We're certainly not there yet," he said. "All of this is a learning process, and we're still very much in that mode of finding out what all of this really means."