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BRCA Genes
November 21, 2009 |
Researchers are learning more about two genes that could influence your risk of
cancer. “There’s a gene, BRCA 1 and 2, two genes actually, that can have mutations
in them that puts you at a high risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer,” says
Dr. Jane Daniel, an OB/GYN on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.
She speaks from experience. She discovered she had the BRCA-2 gene after she was
diagnosed with breast cancer. “I’m BRCA-2 positive, I received my gene from my father
so most people say, ‘Oh, my breast cancer is on my mothers side. Its significant
on my father’s side? No. Well, that’s not true.”
Dr. Daniels says 10% of breast cancers are genetic. Those with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene
have a 50/50 chance of passing it down to their children.
“If you’ve got a strong family history, even if its on your father’s side, especially
if a male in your family has been diagnosed with breast cancer, or if the cancer’s
have been diagnosed younger than 50, any ovarian cancer, those types of family histories
should be checked.”
Checking for the gene is as easy as a blood test. “I strongly encourage anybody
to have it done,” says Dr. Daniel. The BRCA 1 and 2 gene have also been associated
with other cancers such as colon cancer.
Dr. Daniel says its important to alert your physician if you do test positive. This
way, you can be monitored more closely for potential problems.
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