Breast and ovarian cancer are great fears for most women today. Regardless of family history, it is still possible to get one or both of these cancers. There are 25,000 cases of ovarian cancer and 200,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S. While most are not caused by hereditary risk factors, at least 10 percent of them are.
Today there are tests that will uncover the specific gene mutations that are known to cause breast and ovarian cancers. Many people are unaware of the cancer history in their families. Whether you have had cancer, or have a family history of cancer, these tests might be a life saving decision for you.
The test itself detects a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes in particular. Any alteration of these genes makes a person more susceptible to breast or ovarian cancer. These genes can be inheirant from our parents.
If either of these mutations appear in your test results, here are a few things you can do to aid in prevention of the disease.
Increase awareness of the breasts.
* Perform monthly breast self-exams starting between ages 18-21
* Annual or semiannual breast exams performed by a doctor starting between ages 25-35
* Annual mammogram screening starting between ages 25-35
* annual MRI screening of the breast tissue
Increase awareness of the ovaries.
* Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) starting between ages 25-35
* Annual or semiannual check-up on serum CA-125 levels (request this with your gynecologist)
Preventive Drug Therapies for Breast Cancer
There are new preventive drug therapies that can also be implemented along with increased surveillance and awareness of the breast tissue. Most commonly, tamoxifen is used. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which has been proven to cut the risk by 50% for women with BRCA mutations.
Preventive Drug Therapies for Ovarian Cancer
Oral contraceptives are known to reduce the chances of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations, as well as those without. Research shows a 60% reduction in women with BRCA mutations who took oral contraceptives.
Prophylactic Mastectomy
This may seem extreme to some women, but it is proven effective. Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by greater than 90 percent in women with a BRCA mutation or a family history of the disease.
Prophylactic Oophorectomy
While not quite as extreme as Mastectomy it is more effective and has multiple benefits. Prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by a staggering 96 % in those women with a BRCA mutation. It is recommended usually for those over 35 years of age and after childbearing is completed. If this procedure is performed pre-menopausally, it is also proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 50 percent.
BRAC analysis gives the patients power against the disease. It informs you or your risk and allows you to make decisions now that will help in prevention and treatment of these two diseases.