Genetic testing for breast cancer
Written by:
Surgeon
Published: 08/10/2020
Edited by: Robert Smith
Genetic testing is carried out to test genes that cause health problems. Cancer is not usually inherited, but some types – mainly ovarian, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer - can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families.
We spoke with Miss Christina Choy, a top oncoplastic breast surgeon based in London to find out more about genetic testing for breast cancer and what can be determined from the results.
What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing is used to see the likelihood of getting breast cancer in your lifetime. Either using your blood or using cells of a sample to see the genetic profile of the body. This is to see if there is a change in genome that makes certain genes more active, or latent, which could make the patient prone to repairing a defect in the mechanisms, increasing the risk of cancer formation. Genetic testing is used to check for cancer-related genes but checks can also be done to see if there are other genes with other inherited genes, or other syndromes.
What other types of genetic tests are available?
As a breast surgeon, I usually do gene testing related to breast cancer. However, tests to check for colorectal cancer, melanoma and pancreatic cancer are also available. Checks can be made to see if there are some genes that are more prone to down's syndrome or leukaemia.
How are genetic tests done?
There are usually two steps involved in genetic testing:
1. A relative with cancer has a diagnostic blood test to see if they have a cancer risk gene. This should happen before any healthy relatives are tested.
2. If your relative’s test is positive you can have the predictive genetic test to see if you have the same faulty gene.
Who should consider genetic testing for breast cancer?
First degree or second-degree relatives; Female members are more at risk of breast cancer.
What do the results of a genetic test mean?
If there's a gene mutation, there's a defect in the gene and that person is more prone, but it doesn’t mean they will always have cancer. It depends on the type of gene and how many family members involved. Lifetime risk varies. It also means that if there is a gene there is half a chance the gene could be inherited also by your children.
A positive result from genetic testing doesn’t necessarily mean you’re definitely going to develop cancer but means you're at a greatly-increased risk.
How can consumers be sure a genetic test is valid and useful?
It depends on what the person is looking for. Psychologically, the patient has to be prepared if they decide they’d like to take one of the tests. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer can be up 87 per cent.
After genetic testing for breast cancer, what are some of the options?
Risk reduction surgery through breast surgery (mastectomy) can be at 90 to 95 per cent effective in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.
It’s a good idea to check how likely you are to develop breast cancer, especially if there is a strong family history. Plus, it's important to check for lumps and new symptoms each month.
Furthermore, a hysterectomy can also be used to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Women who have their ovaries removed before the menopause dramatically reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer can also go down by up to 50 per cent.
There is no standard screening to check for the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer, however there is ultrasound scanning for the ovaries and the blood test CA125.
If you feel it may be a good idea for you to a genetic test done for breast cancer, book an appointment via Miss Choy's Top Doctors profile.