Question

A 40 year old woman is tested and is told that she has the BRCA1 gene. That means she has about 80% chance of developing breast cancer and is at high risk for ovarian and colon cancer. She does not believe these results and wants no one to tell her mother, her four sisters, or her three daughters, some of whom may be in the early stages of cancer.

1 should the test results be kept from other family members who are directly affected?

2 what would you do?

Answer 1

1. Since cancer has a highly genetic predisposition and the woman has a very probability (80%)of developing malignant tissue, it is necessary that she share some this information with other female relatives as they may possess the same BRCA1 gene. such self disclosure could help in early diagnosis and prevention/treatment.

2. As someone’s in he position who has found out about the threat to my health, I would have approached my immediately family to seek their consultation and support and also to share the concern with them in case other members of the family may be affected by the gene as well. A part of treatment approach is to create a community of support but also to educate others.