DNA test to spot risk of breast cancer

Currently in the UK, the breast screening service aims to identify cancer but it could change to a service that prevents cancer.

Scientists have shown that a genetic test that costs just £50 could identify those who require treatment which could halve their risk of getting breast cancer.   The test looks at 88 genetic variants linked to breast cancer.

Women at high risk could be checked annually.  Those at low genetic risk could be screened less frequently.

“We should rethink breast cancer screening as a prevention programme” said Jack Cuzick of Queen Mary College, London, leader of the study which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology this week.  The team studied 995 women and found that they reclassified the risk level of one in eight women compared to existing screening which relies on family history.  Half of the 85 women shown to be at high risk went on to get cancer.  Only a quarter of 44 women shown to be moderate risk went on to get cancer.  Professor Cuzick estimates that the test could identify an additional 400,000 women as high risk compared to previous methods which could improve their chances of survival.

Source:  The Times