NEW BREAST CANCER TEST AVAILABLE
An Icelandic company, decode Genetics has released a breast cancer risk test. It promises women a chance to take a more aggressive breast screening.
The test cost is steep, $1625, and includes just seven genetic variants out of the 300 scientist expect to soon find.
This test is a no brainier. The science behind the test is solid. All seven genetic variants, called SNPs, for single nucleotide polymorphisms, are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, primarily in women of European descent. Being in the public domain, companies can incorporate them into new products.
The more SNP links, the higher your breast cancer risks. The risk of this test is meaningful. But we are basing someone’s risk on the basis of a small subset of variants. It’s like having a poker hand and you don’t know what the whole hand is.
About 5% of you who take the test will find you have a 20% risk of breast cancer, compared to the average risk of 12%.
Many epidemiologists feel that any test, even based on the best SNP will probably misclassify a large number of women. As more variants are found, the risk estimates might actually change. A high risk now may be one that isn’t so bad or vice versa. It is estimated that there will be 300 SNPs to make the whole hand. But why wait till you discovered everything about breast cancer.
How would you react to learn you have a 20% chance of breast cancer ? How would you communicate this explosive information? Some of you might freak out or even commit suicide if they tested positive. It might also raise your risk of heart disease. It certainly is very sensitive information.
Has the test reached its time? Do you have $1625 lying around to find out that your chance of breast cancer is higher than the general public? And how will this change your life in a positive way?
What do you think? Your comments are always appreciated.
Visit www.drneedles for more blogging comments on controversial medical subjects.
Source: Science Oct 17, 2008
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