The cancer test that could change the lives of BRCA carriers

In 2013, Angelina Jolie was in the limelight, not for a movie, but for this, an op-ed she wrote in

the New York Times about the decision to remove her breasts. She says she did it because her risk

of breast cancer went from 87% to 5%. Two years later, she had her ovaries removed, once again

sharing her reasoning with America. Her public health journey helped raise awareness for a gene

mutations she carried, BRCA1. She also had the CA125 blood marker. Jolie was tested after the

loss of her mother and wanted to make sure she was there for her children. So it's really important

once it's identified in a patient to do what we call cascade genetics, meaning inform your family

about the genetic mutation so other family members can hopefully get tested. Pramil Thacker is the

chief of gynecologic oncology at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. As a leading expert in gynecological cancer she knows testing is key Right now patients with BRCA markers often choose risk reducing surgeries However a test that is currently underway in the UK could change all of that

And this then hopefully could detect ovarian cancer earlier in order to prevent women being diagnosed at a later stage

Last month, University College London Hospitals announced a test for women who have a high risk of ovarian cancer due to inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene alterations

who wish to defer preventative surgery. It's a test Thacker says could save lives

So the majority of our patients are found stage three or four, which makes it harder to treat, of course

While the test is only available in the UK right now, Thacker says to expect it here in the United States very soon

While the test requires three visits a year, based on the willingness of women to get an annual mammogram

Thacker is optimistic. So I do think that, you know, this is at least a very reality-based test that can happen for patients easily

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I'm Diane Duenas