A New York Times Op Ed Article - 1443 Words

Introduction: A New York Times op-ed article on May 14, 2013 revealed that Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy (Jolie). She did not have cancer. What would prompt a healthy individual to perform such drastic and disfiguring surgery if her life were not in danger? It turns out that she carries a breast cancer gene mutation, BRCA1, which increases the chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The availability of genetic testing has caused prophylactic double mastectomy rates to increase dramatically. Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Sharon Osborne and Christina Applegate have had double mastectomy due to their genetic predisposition for developing the disease. What is the BRCA gene mutation, what are the risks, and who is†¦show more content†¦Therefore, mutations lead to an increased risk of developing breast cancer among other malignancies in one’s lifetime (Hardy, Tarasewicz, Jeruss, 2013, p. 49). Women with a BRCA gene mutation have a considerable risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime compared to those who do not carry the gene mutation. In the general population, the prevalence of BRCA genes is 1 in 300-500 people. In some populations, the frequency of carriers is much higher. Most notably, Ashkenazi Jewish descendants have a frequency as high as 1 in 40 (Hardy, Tarasewicz, Jeruss, 2013, pp. 49-50). Women who are BRCA carriers have a 76–84% chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 70, compared to 13% of non BRCA gene mutation carriers. Additionally, carriers are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, and their cancer is of a higher histologic grade. They are also more likely to develop cancer in the contralateral breast (Hardy, Tarasewicz, Jeruss, 2013, p. 50). This increased risk is great cause for concern, and currently genetic testing is available to those who might be gene mutation carriers. Who should get tested? According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), primary care providers should screen women who have family members with breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer, to identify a family history that might be associated with an increased risk for BRCA gene