Certain types of cancer are hereditary, meaning they can be passed down through families. Genetic testing is a way of identifying people at increased risk of these hereditary cancers, but it has tended to be women rather than men who, historically, have been encouraged to get themselves tested.
However, growing evidence suggests that men as well as women would benefit from testing for genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), we are looking at why this is and how genetic testing works.
Genetic mutations
One of the most common tests is for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variant, which greatly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women. High profile cases of women like Angelina Jolie who underwent preventative breast cancer surgery after discovering she had the BRCA gene variant have helped to increase awareness of BRCA1 and BRCA2, but less well-known is the fact that men as well as women can be affected. Men carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are at risk of breast, pancreatic or prostate cancer, as well as melanomas.
Scientists call for more testing
A recent article in Nature, the international journal of science, called for national and international guidelines on BRCA testing to be extended to include men with a family history of prostate or pancreatic cancers. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the European Society for Medical Oncology were both cited in the article, which pointed out that just 357 men had been tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 at the European Institute of Oncology since 2001 compared to 4,728 women. Seventy-three of these men were “probands”, which means they were the first in their family to test positively for these genetic mutations. The remaining 284 had blood relatives with genetic mutations. Forty per cent of men with prostate cancer had a BRCA mutation.
The overall ratio of men to women having genetic testing is 13 to one. Increasing the number of men being tested would help to improve early diagnosis of those at risk of hereditary cancer and improve the diagnosis, treatment and options to participate in clinical trials.
How BRCA mutations work
Certain genes normally work to protect the body from cancer. However, some people inherit a mutation, or change, in one of these protective genes, known as a BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation. When this happens, there is a significantly increased risk of cancer. For women, the risk is of breast or ovarian cancer, while for men it is breast, prostate and other cancers.
Having the gene mutation doesn’t necessarily mean you will get cancer but it does mean that you are at a significantly higher risk than someone without the genetic mutation. It also means your children have a 50% chance of carrying the same genetic mutation and an associated increased cancer risk.
Who should have genetic testing?
Genetic testing provides a way of finding out if you carry the BRCA genetic mutation. It is normally recommended if you have a family member with:
- Breast cancer below the age of 50.
- Ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.
- Breast cancer more than once.
- Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish ancestry.
- Triple negative breast cancer.
How it works
Genetic testing uses a simple saliva test to identify your risk for 25 types of hereditary cancer, by analysing 98 genes from your DNA. The sample is sent off to the laboratory for testing and your doctor will receive a detailed test report, including a personalised health risk management plan. If you are identified as being at increased risk, you can take proactive steps to manage your health, including having regular screening or, in some cases, preventative medication or surgery. You may also wish to recommend testing to other close family members who may be at increased risk.
For more information about the Myogenes Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer tests, please contact our team.
