Men ignorant of their cancer risk when female relatives test positive for gene mutation
December 15th, 2007 - 2:10 pm ICT by admin - Send to a friend:Washington , Dec 15 (ANI): Researchers, exploring how families communicate genetic test results, have concluded that men are unaware of the risk that they are more prone to developing cancer, if their mothers, sisters or daughters test positive for a cancer-causing gene mutation (BRCA).
Just like their female relatives, fathers, sons or brothers can also carry a mutation in the BRCA 1 or 2 genes.
Male carriers of these mutations, more commonly called the breast cancer genes, are more susceptible to 14 percent lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer as well as a 6 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer
The study at Fox Chase Cancer Center was led by Mary B. Daly, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Population Science at Fox Chase.
Despite these health implications, we have found a lack of understanding of genetic test results among men in these families, said Daly.
The researchers interviewed 24 men, each with a first-degree female relative who tested positive for having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
In the study, the women reported telling the results of their genetic test result to the male relative; however, only 18 of the men remembered receiving the results.
Daly said that their findings demonstrated a level of cognitive and emotional distance experienced by men from the genetic testing process.
Almost half of the men (seven) who remembered receiving results did not believe that the test results augmented their own risk of cancer.
Only five (28 percent) were successfully able to identify their chance of being a mutation carrier.
We devote a significant amount of time learning how best to communicate genetic test results to women, but this study shows we also need to help them communicate the information to their male family members who may be impacted by the test results, concluded Daly.
Around 14 of the 18 men who recalled receiving the results showed any interest in the meaning of the test result, but most (11) directed their concern toward other family members, primarily daughters and sisters.
Based on the responses, we were not surprised to learn that the level of interest in genetic testing was relatively low. Of the six men who did express interest, half said theyd do it for their childrens sake, said Daly
The study was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. (ANI)
Related Stories
- Women without BRCA mutations at greater risk for breast cancer recurrence - May 5, 2008
- Gene variations may predict breast cancer risk in women - May 3, 2008
- Hispanic, young black women more susceptible to breast cancer - December 26, 2007
- Common gene variant boosts breast cancer risk - March 15, 2008
- Breast cancer mutation risk underestimated for Asian women - September 12, 2008
- Breast cancer risk among Asian-American women underestimated by 50 pct - September 12, 2008
- New genetic marker for breast cancer identified - March 4, 2008
- Coming soon, a PS10 test that can pinpoint breast cancer risk - September 17, 2008
- Family history cannot predict breast cancer risk in women - July 23, 2008
- Molecular pathway provides clues about BRCA1 role in breast cancer - January 16, 2008
- Women largely unaware of alcohol linked-breast cancer threat - October 18, 2008
- Women largely unaware of alcohol linked-breast cancer threat (re-issue) - October 19, 2008
- Asian Americans least prone to breast cancer among ethnic minorities - December 26, 2007
- Benign breast disease ups young woman’’s breast cancer risk - December 14, 2008
- How gene mutation causes breast cancer discovered - December 10, 2007
- brca 1
- brca1
- breast cancer
- breast cancer genes
- cancer risk
- chase cancer center
- female relatives
- first degree
- fox chase cancer
- fox chase cancer center
- gene mutation
- genetic test results
- genetic testing
- health implications
- lifetime risk
- male family members
- population science
- prostate cancer
- senior vice president
- test result
Posted in Health Science, |

