Re: Question 3 -- MSJA Genetics

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Subject: Re: Question 3

Author:
Catelin

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Date Posted: 16:19:01 12/15/03 Mon
In reply to: Regina 's message, "Question 3" on 08:52:30 12/10/03 Wed

>A negative result to the testing of the BRCA1 gene can
>certainly give an individual a false sense of
>security. If the BRCA1 marker tests positive for an
>alteration, this signifies elevated chances for
>developing breast cancer and ovarion cancer. However,
>if negative, the test truly will not tell the
>individual all too much about their chances of getting
>ovarian cancer. Studies show that only about 5% of
>ovarian cancers are a result of inherited defects in
>BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; therefore, a negative test
>result only eliminates a 5% risk of getting ovarian
>cnacer, which still leaves a very large chance of
>getting ovarian cancer from other factors. A negative
>test always results in a sense of security, but
>without proper knowledge of how much of a risk there
>continues to be after the testing, a woman may indeed
>have a false sense of security.

I agree with Regina that it is not a good idea to get one's hopes up because they do not test positive for an alteration in the BRCA1 gene because the gene only shows an elevated risk to develop the disease. A person with a negative test is still susceptible to ovarian cancer. They just have a lower risk of developing it. I think that it is the physician's responsibility to inform the person being tested exactly what their test results mean so that the person will not have a false sense of security or feelings of hopelessness.

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