Genetic
Each person is always concerned about his family history of breast cancer. This is not that surprising knowing that it is the most widespread of all cancers in women, and the third most fatal cancer in both genders.
However, just because your mother has breast cancer, or that your grandmother died from it, does not mean that you are going to suffer from breast cancer as well. Even if there’s been a constant hype about certain statistics such as, a woman having a one in eight chance of getting breast cancer, this is not actually as terrifying as it sounds. Thus figure represents a risk throughout a woman’s lifetime, that is, when she lives long enough to see her 110th birthday.
Breast cancer genetic involves the two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which when inherited as flawed, raise a person’s chance of acquiring breast cancer. But before you condemn your ancestry, take note that only about five to ten percent of breast cancer cases are caused by this inherited vulnerability.
Breast cancer genetics follows a certain inheritance pattern known as autosomal dominant. To understand this better, the children of those who belong to families with history of genetic breast cancer has around a 50% chance each of getting the faulty gene.
Women who have inherited either a faulty BRCA1 or faulty BRCA2 gene are 80% more likely of getting the diseases throughout their lifetime, and are more prone to developing ovarian cancer as well. Genetic breast cancer does not single out the women. It is also possible for men to carry the disease. However, even if they inherit a flawed BRCA2 gene, their risk of getting breast cancer is a mere 6%. Male are capable of transmitting this genetic vulnerability. This points out that the genetic susceptibility to the disease may happen in families even after several unaffected generations due to the passing of faulty genes via the male line.
Scientists say that the onset of cancer starts when one or several genes in a single cell is mutated, that is, either missing or damaged. Genetic mutations may happen in either of two time points: when a person is born with such mutations, or he acquires a change in one cell which is transmitted to the other cells at some point in his life. Most cases of breast cancers, roughly about 85%, are said to be sporadic. This means that the genetic mutations or gene damage happens unexpectedly during a person’s lifetime.
An inherited genetic mutation or faulty gene that works to increase breast cancer risks is only known if a woman will undergo genetic testing for breast cancer. However, experts insist that those who want to undergo such test should see a genetic counselor prior genetic testing. The genetic counselor will be able to provide them with information regarding the benefits and risks that come with genetic testing.
Genetic testing for breast cancer is like screening people in order to know the presence of cancer even before symptoms appear. People who are most keen on going through this test are those whose families have a history of the disease; display genetic disorder symptoms, and are worried about letting their children inherit the genetic problem.
There are several types of genetic testing. But generally, these cost a lot, and are not usually covered by the different health insurance companies. And since some types of genetic testing are still in the research stage, health care providers and medical practitioners should be able to offer counseling prior and after the test.
No one chooses to have breast cancer. But since, some have it for inevitable reasons; others are left with choices on how to avoid getting it.