Should all women over 30 be screened for breast and ovarian cancer? | Health - Hindustan Times
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Should all women over 30 be screened for breast and ovarian cancer?

Indo Asian News Service | By
Jan 22, 2018 09:41 AM IST

Instead of just screening high-risk patients, a new study suggests screening for all women over 30 years age for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations.

Screening all women over 30 years age for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations can be cost effective and could prevent more of these cancers than just screening those at genetic high-risk, suggests a study led by an Indian-origin researcher. Previous research has shown that hereditary cancer cases are on the rise in India, three times more than in Western countries.

The most well-known breast and ovarian cancer causing genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2.(Shutterstock)
The most well-known breast and ovarian cancer causing genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2.(Shutterstock)

The most well-known breast and ovarian cancer causing genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, and women carrying either of the gene mutation have approximately a 17 to 44% chance of developing ovarian cancer and a 69 to 72% chance of developing breast cancer over their lifetime.

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Conversely, for women who do not carry these mutations, the risk is 2% for ovarian cancer and 12% for breast cancer over their life time. The current clinical approach to genetic testing is based on having a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The new approach, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed that it is cost-effective, and as a result can ensure that more women can take preventive action to reduce their risk or undertake regular screening. This can provide new opportunities for cancer prevention and changes in the way of cancer genetic testing.

“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,” said Ranjit Manchanda, consultant gynaecological oncologist, at the Queen Mary University of London. “Our analysis shows that population testing is the most cost-effective strategy and can have important implications given the effective options that are available for ovarian and breast cancer risk management and prevention for women at increased risk,” added Rosa Legood, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

According to the World Health Organization, out of the 8.8 million deaths overall cancer deaths worldwide in 2015, breast cancer accounted for 571,000 deaths. Ovarian cancer, with the lowest survival rate of all gynaecological cancers, is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year.

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