Homework answers / question archive / First According to BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing "Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation have up to a 72% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes (compared to 12-13% for women overall)

First According to BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing "Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation have up to a 72% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes (compared to 12-13% for women overall)

Sociology

Share With

First
According to BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing "Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation have up to a 72% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes (compared to 12-13% for women overall)." but if tested positive for these genes it does not mean that the harmful cancer is or will be formed. It is recommended to have follow ups and pay attention to these things with your doctor so if it is formed then starting the steps necessary. Treating things like cancer is very tough on the body. Getting a double mastectomy or doing other things when testing positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 while not developing cancer yet or unknown is not technically necessary until your doctor recommends it.

Second

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes reliable predictors of cancer. "For women who carry these genes, the probability of breast cancer at some point in their life is over 80% (Campbell, 2018)."

When it comes to taking steps to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer through a double mastectomy, I feel it is a very personal choice. On one hand there is a 20% chance breast cancer will never develop so there is still hope. On the other hand with an 80% chance of development it would be more beneficial to have the mastectomy vs not doing anything at all.

If I carried the BRCA genes I would 100% get the double mastectomy but again it is a personal choice.