Genetic Testing, Yes? No?

I recently attended a survivor expo and wanted to share one thing that truly surprised me. 

Did you know that if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you should have genetic testing?

A physician spoke at the expo and said when a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer there is a higher percentage of there being a genetic mutation than with breast cancer. 

And of course, during the Q&A I asked, Why? 

The CDC statistics tell us that 3% of the women with breast cancer have the BRCA1/BRCA2 gene however, 10% of the women with ovarian cancer have the mutation. Wow!

According to the National Cancer Insitute, "Clinical practice guidelines, recommend genetic testing for anyone diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer before age 50, metastatic prostate cancer, or male breast cancer. For people with these cancers, knowing whether their cancer is related to an inherited harmful genetic change may help to select optimal treatment for them. This information may also be relevant to blood relatives."

Ladies, if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you need have the genetic testing. In the last few years, genetic testing costs have come down considerably, so I recommend you check with your Primary Care Physician for testing. Based on the NCI guidelines, you should also check with your insurance because the genetic testing could be covered. 

You have the stats, you have the NCI guidelines, genetic testing is very important concerning ovarian cancer. You don't know what you don't know, so educate yourself. It will give you the knowledge you need to manage your health. 

Your Breast Friend,

Edie A. Tolbert

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