Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>>> Dr. Harness: A family history of male breast cancer is a very very important finding
that means that a person who has that history needs to be gene tested, and if the male in
the family also is alive that male should be gene tested.
You know, over the years, we really emphasize the importance of the first and second degree
female relatives, when it comes to increasing a risk for breast cancer, and I think frankly
we have sort of ignored the issue of the history of a male breast cancer in the family.
Now, is this an end-all and a be-all? Could you have, as an example, a father with male
breast cancer, a daughter then who develops breast cancer and be gene negative for BRCA
1 and 2? The answer to that question is, yes, you could, but that does not mean that if
you have that kind of history, that it should not be pursued with a genetic counsellor because
it should be, and particularly if you throw into the mix of that, any kind of family history
of ovarian cancer, then our suspicion of BRCA 1 and 2 gene positivity goes way way up.
Now, I am dealing with patients right now whose sister had breast cancer, other first
degree relatives, they seem like really really strong family histories. We test them for
BRCA 1 and 2 and they are negative and we say “oh gosh, is this hereditary or is it,
you know, sporadic or coincidental”. Please remember BRCA 1 and 2 are the two genes that
we know about right now. There are researchers actively working on the non BRCA 1 and 2 strong
family histories, looking for other genes that may be that link.
So if you come from a family where your sister had breast cancer, your father had breast
cancer or you had breast cancer, remember this does increase the overall risk, not only
of you or your other relatives but it also means gene testing is important but if gene
testing is negative, it does not mean that there is not a hereditary component here.
Frankly, we just have not found it yet. As they say in the radio business, stay tuned,
I believe we will find that genetic hereditary link as time progresses.
*****
Hi, I am Dr. Jay Harness and I want to share with you an important information that I believe
that every newly diagnosed patient with breast cancer needs to know.
Susan Denver: “I am a breast cancer survivor.”
Katherine Stockton: “I am a breast cancer survivor.”
Coree: “I am a breast cancer survivor…”
Susan Denver: “…and I want every woman to know…”
Katherine Stockton: “…about personalized breast cancer treatment…”
Susan Denver: “…and the Genomic Test.”
Coree: “A test that helps guide a woman and her doctor…”
Katherine Stockton: “…to the best treatment options for her.”
Susan Denver: “Pass it on!”