All women should be screened for genes for breast and ovarian cancers, according to an analysis published today.
Testing all women over the age of 30 could prevent up to 81,000 cases of cancer a year, according to the analysis by the Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK.
The conclusion is based on concerns that the current approach – of tracking personal and family histories of cancer – is leaving thousands of women unaware they carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Screening is regarded as effective because women who know they carry the genes have several options for preventing disease – through drugs, surgery or enhanced screening.
The researchers used mathematical models and health economics techniques to analyse the benefits of introducing population screening. They report their findings in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
One of the researchers Dr Ranjit Manchanda, of the Barts Cancer Institute, said: “Recent advances in genomic medicine offer us the opportunity to deliver a new population-based predictive, preventive and personalised medicine strategy for cancer prevention.
“Our findings support the concept of broadening genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer genes across the entire population, beyond just the current criteria-based approach. This could prevent thousands more breast and ovarian cancers than any current strategy, saving many lives.
“With the costs of testing falling this approach can ensure that more women can take preventative action to reduce their risk or undertake regular screening. As knowledge and societal acceptability of this type of testing increases, it can in the future provide huge new opportunities for cancer prevention and changes in the way we deliver cancer genetic testing.”
The findings were welcomed by the charity, the Eve Appeal.
Chief executive Athena Lamnisos said: “These research findings demonstrate the potential for both saving lives and costs. Whole-population genetic testing is cost-effective.
“If women identified as high-risk act on the information that they’re given, in terms risk reducing surgery, their lifetime risk of developing these women-specific cancers can be reduced.”
She added: “The impact that this study could have on healthcare in the future for these cancers is promising and an exciting step forward in prevention. ”
JNCI 18 January 2018
Leave a Reply