New Genetic Test for Breast Cancer Risk

The deCODE genetic test for breast cancer risk has hit the market, and here are some reasons to save yourself $1625.

1. No gene can predict that a woman will get breast cancer. Even the better understood breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, do not indicate that a woman will get breast cancer -- only that her risk is high. The interplay of genes, lifestyle factors, and exposure to environmental hazards determines whether or not a woman develops breast cancer.


2. Scientists question the validity of using this test to predict the risk of getting breast cancer. (The opinions of some noted breast cancer specialists can be found in an article in the Washington Post.) This test may indicate that you have certain genes associated with breast cancer risk, but no one knows what the implications are for having any one of the many combinations of these and other genes.


3. There are ways to reduce breast cancer risk, but doctors do not know which option might work for any particular woman. Medications like Tamoxifen or Evista might be recommended, but they have side effects that a woman would want to avoid unless her risk was extremely high. This test would not be necessary to know that, as family history, the presence of a precancerous condition, or diagnosis with a BRCA gene mutation would indicate high risk.


4. Positive results may cause undue alarm and anxiety. It is frightening to hear you're high risk for breast cancer. Given that the reliability of this test for predicting breast cancer risk is questionable, and that doctors don't really know what to recommend to reduce risk, it seems unwise to subject yourself to hearing that you might be high risk.


5. Negative results could lull you into a false sense of security. These genes are not the only factors that increase breast cancer risk.

Women do not need to know their genetic make-up to understand that they should have regular screening and check-ups. And every woman should strive to have a healthy lifestyle to reduce her risk for breast cancer -- and for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other cancers at the same time.