Posts Tagged "Genetic Test"

Genetic DNA Testing for Breast Cancer

Genetic test which is also known as DNA-based test is the most powerful technique used to test for breast cancer detection. It involves the direct examination of DNA molecule itself.
By using a molecular diagnostic test to assess whether a breast tumor will respond to chemotherapy, doctor’s need to more precisely identify which patients can be adequately treated with hormonal therapy alone and which patients will truly benefit if chemotherapy is added to the treatment. With better individualized treatment, we can spare women the side effects of chemotherapy where it is unnecessary.

Breast cancer, like other cancers, develops when changes occur in genes in breast cells. In that sense, all breast cancer has a genetic element. But, “genetic” does not mean inherited. Only an estimated 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases result from an inherited genetic predisposition to the disease. In other words, more than 90% of all breast cancer cases result from factors that are not inherited and, in many cases, are unknown.

So far, researchers have found two genes linked with breast cancer-labeled BRCA1 and BRCA2-that everyone inherits in pairs: one from our mother and one from our father. When they function normally, they are supposed to stop the growth of cancerous cells in the breast. When both genes in a pair are damaged, they don’t work properly and cancer may develop. People who inherit a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from one parent are at greater risk of developing breast cancer than people who inherit two normal genes.

Studies can estimate risk among large numbers of people who have an inherited mutation, but not the risk for an individual woman. Women with any BRCA mutation have about a 33% to 50% risk of developing cancer by age 50, and a 56% to 87% risk by age 70. Most of the research focuses on women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer (several female relatives on one side who have breast and/or ovarian cancer before age 40, cancer in both breasts, and/or cases of male breast cancer).

By being able to identify these genes through particular markers associated with the gene, doctors will know which individuals are more susceptible to cancer and therefore can follow the proper procedure. The earlier the doctor can diagnose the cancer, the more effective the treatment will be.
Scientists warn however that, although they have discovered one of the genes associated with breast cancer, there is still no cure available. They have successfully identified the gene, but presently there is no way to “repair” the gene.
The recent isolation of the gene BRCA-1 has prompted investigators to identify other genes that may contribute to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and the breast-ovarian cancer syndrome.

Genetic Testing Center

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Welcome to Genetic Testing Center – a portal for all things related to genetic testing. Genetic testing allows the genetic diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherit diseases, and can also be used to determine a child’s paternity (genetic father) or a person’s ancestry.

Normally, every person carries two copies of every gene, one inherited from their mother, one inherited from their father. The human genome is believed to contain around 20,000 – 25,000 genes. In addition to studying chromosomes to the level of individual genes, genetic testing in a broader sense includes biochemical tests for the possible presence of genetic diseases, or mutant forms of genes associated with increased risk of developing genetic disorders.

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Genetic testing identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. Most of the time, testing is used to find changes that are associated with inherited disorders. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Several hundred genetic tests are currently in use, and more are being developed all the time. Since genetic testing may open up ethical or psychological problems, genetic testing is often accompanied by genetic counseling.

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Genetic Testing ? an Insurance Timebomb

Insurance policies may not be effected for the time being by the controversial subject of genetic testing following the Association of British Insurers recommendation that customers should not be asked by insurance companies for the results of genetic tests for the next five years.

Like many of ABI ‘s edicts, such as erasing the Raising Standards Initiative, it’s a voluntary as opposed to a compulsory code. Nevertheless it is excellent news. In practise, not many of ABI’s 400 insurers are likely to ignore the recommendations, as it would put their membership of the Association in jeopardy.

The low reliability of genetic tests available at present was recognised by the ABI. For example, simply because a member of their family died from cancer does not mean that they will contract the disease. However the Genetic and Insurance Committee (GAIC) still approves the test for Huntington’s disease as a reliable indicator when underwriting life insurance plans.

On life policies over £500,000, insurers may ask for the results or a genetic test for Huntington’s Disease. However ABI points out that only 3 per cent of all life policies are underwritten for over half a million pounds.

A Parliamentary select committee has expressed doubt about the relevance of the genetic testing for Huntington’s and has requested that GAIC reassesses their decision. It is important that this moratorium is used to debate the subject in depth rather than to use it as an excuse to ignore genetic testing for the next five years. Burying our heads in the sand will only exacerbate the situation, as advances in medical science will be used to develop much more reliable genetic tests within the next five years.

Insurers may then use genetic tests when underwriting policies, leaving us with a genetic underclass, who have difficulty in finding life insurance cover.

Certain insurers like the Co-operative Insurance Society, are suggesting a public/ private solution to solve the problem. They recently used an all encompassing moratorium on the underwriting of life insurance based upon the results of genetic tests. Using these tests will be expensive so it is only reasonable that the Government should share the burden with insurers.

An impartial complaints system will be established by the ABI so that consumers have adequate redress if they consider that the insurance companies have treated them unfairly. At present there are no details of how a system of this kind would work, but of course it needs to deliver solutions, which really deliver and be completely independent of the insurance industry. The ABI will police the moratorium themselves, which raises concerns about whether consumers will receive an unbiased hearing. The encouraging announcement by the ABI will be an empty promise if they don’t.

A Joint Statement of Concern has been presented to a House of Commons Cross Party Group. Forty six organisations and individuals have called upon the Government to legislate against the use of genetic test results in insurance.

They are concerned that there is no legal framework to prevent the use of genetic testing by employers and insurers to make decisions about who gets insurance. They also consider that testing is not a reliable or conclusive predictor of a person’s future health.

Positive Result On A Genetic Test, What Does That Indicate?

Is there a genetic test that shows who is more at risk for osteogenic sarcoma?