[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":312},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-how-does-a-brca-genetic-test-work":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":171,"relatedBooks":311},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":20,"template":26,"format":27,"meta":28,"categories":29,"tags":31,"project_category":42,"contact_email_category":43,"yst_prominent_words":44,"class_list":50,"better_featured_image":68,"acf":105,"yoast_meta":114,"_links":117},16209,"2017-08-29T15:48:21","2017-08-29T13:48:21",{"rendered":9},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=16209","2022-05-10T19:50:57","2022-05-10T17:50:57","how-does-a-brca-genetic-test-work","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-does-a-brca-genetic-test-work",{"rendered":17},"How Does a BRCA Genetic Test Work? – The Dante Labs Review",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2017. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dante Labs offered me their BRCA genetic test, which I gladly accepted as I never had an evaluation focused on my BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These are very important as their mutations increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men. Here is my verdict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Angelina effect and why BRCA genes matter\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The concept and practice of BRCA genetic testing became extremely popular after Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2013\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fopinion\u002Fmy-medical-choice.html\">publicized her results\u003C\u002Fa> in 2013 alongside her decision to undergo a double mastectomy. A merciless but effective way to avoid getting breast cancer. Researchers even \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bmj.com\u002Fcontent\u002F355\u002Fbmj.i6357\">found that\u003C\u002Fa> many women rushed to genetic testing the days after her announcement. The “Angelina effect” was so strong that based on insurance claims for nearly 10 million women aged 18 to 64, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2017\u002F01\u002F05\u002Fangelina-jolie-brca-testing\u002F\">BRCA testing rose 64 percent in the US in the 15 days\u003C\u002Fa> after Jolie described her BRCA results and surgery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie.jpg\" alt=\"BRCA genetic test\" class=\"wp-image-16212\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-768x453.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-512x302.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-424x250.jpg 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although that was the outcome of an overhyped event, it is worth looking at what risks are associated with BRCA genes and what a BRCA genetic test can tell a tester. As described on the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Fcauses-prevention\u002Fgenetics\u002Fbrca-fact-sheet\">website of the US National Cancer Institute\u003C\u002Fa>, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes producing tumor suppressor proteins, which help repair damaged DNA. When either of these genes is mutated or altered, such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Together, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations account for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Fcauses-prevention\u002Fgenetics\u002Fbrca-fact-sheet#r2\">about 20-25 percent of hereditary breast cancers; and about 5-10 percent of all breast cancers\u003C\u002Fa>, which means a quite elevated risk. These numbers are even higher in the case of ovarian cancers: mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Fcauses-prevention\u002Fgenetics\u002Fbrca-fact-sheet#r3\">15 percent of that cancer type overall\u003C\u002Fa>. Looking at prostate cancer cases, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fprostatecanceruk.org\u002Fabout-us\u002Fnews-and-views\u002F2013\u002F8\u002Fbrca-genes-myth-busters\">Prostate Cancer UK\u003C\u002Fa> found that only 0.44 percent and 1.2 percent of such cases carry mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 respectively. So, while the risk of prostate cancer increases with these mutations, most of the prostate cancer cases are not linked to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. That’s one of the reasons why I decided that instead of me undergoing the Dante Labs genetic test, I will ask an enthusiastic female volunteer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16210\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing.jpg\" alt=\"BRCA genetic test\" width=\"3542\" height=\"1992\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing-445x250.jpg 445w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3542px) 100vw, 3542px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Should everyone rush to get a BRCA genetic test?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Before going into the details how Dante Labs’ test performed, I must set some things straight. As every other genetic test, also the pioneering BRCA tests cannot tell anyone for sure whether they will get cancer in the future, it only talks about risks. No matter that the method was already \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F29\u002Fbrca-cancer-myriad-genetic-tests\u002F\">introduced in 1996\u003C\u002Fa>, new studies come along every year which might change what the test results mean. That’s why it is very important to interpret the results appropriately, with the help of a genetic counselor. Moreover, the Stanford Cancer Institute created an \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fbrcatool.stanford.edu\u002F\">online decision tool for women\u003C\u002Fa> to help them analyze cancer risks. It is especially important since such irreversible medical procedures might follow as removing ovaries or breasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, I would rather recommend the test for those in whose families breast cancer is already present; as harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations can be inherited from a person’s mother or father. The US National Cancer Institute says that a child of a parent who carries a mutation in one of these genes has a 50 percent chance (or 1 chance in 2) of inheriting the mutation. Luckily, you can already assess online with various risk calculators e.g. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fbcrisktool\u002F\">here\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fbrca.ovarian.org.uk\u002F\">here\u003C\u002Fa> whether you might even carry BRCA risks before testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But if you find out that you might have an elevated risk for having harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, you can take a genetic test at several laboratories. The most famous and oldest company for providing BRCA genetic testing is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmyriad.com\u002F\">Myriad Genetics\u003C\u002Fa>, but you might look up \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ambrygen.com\u002Fclinician\u002Fgenetic-testing\u002F23\u002Foncology\u002Fbrca1-and-brca2\">Ambry Genetics\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genedx.com\u002F\">GeneDx\u003C\u002Fa> – or of course Dante Labs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fgenetic-counseling.jpg\" alt=\"BRCA genetic test\" class=\"wp-image-16215\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fgenetic-counseling.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fgenetic-counseling-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fgenetic-counseling-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fgenetic-counseling-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Dante Labs and their genetic test\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company works with leading genetic labs in the United States, Europe, and Asia; and partnered with Harvard University, Amazon, the Global Alliance for Genomics & Health or Privacy Shield Framework. Their technology is based on next generation sequencing (NGS), for which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.illumina.com\u002F\">Illumina\u003C\u002Fa> provides the appropriate technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dante Labs promises to send you the BRCA testing kit within 2-3 business days after having placed your order for $349. When you get your package, you only have to do a simple cheek swab test, and send it back to the company. As I already had several experiences with genetic testing – I reviewed Navigenics, Pathway Genomics, Gentle Lab, and Futura Genetics (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffutura-genetics-analyzed-my-genome-review\u002F\">here\u003C\u002Fa>) –, I have to say the results came back after too much waiting. For Dante Labs, it took eight weeks to send back the results in .pdf format. Alongside the document, I received the raw data what is beneficial as you can \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fanalyse-your-dna-in-your-living-room\u002F\">further analyse the secrets of your genes\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fimg_6970.jpg\" alt=\"Dante Labs genetic test\" class=\"wp-image-16246\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fimg_6970.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fimg_6970-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fimg_6970-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fimg_6970-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The results are thorough but difficult to analyse\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although I don’t have the means to check the efficiency of the genetic analysis, as they work together with certified labs, I have no doubt about the accuracy of the results. When we looked at the results with our anonymous test person, we actually looked into two documents. The first .pdf provides a basic description of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and a very detailed scientific explanation of the results with all kinds of specific indicators and markings, which was very difficult to make sense of. I had to ask for the help of a genetic counselor to understand whether the findings have any risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, the second .pdf included an explanation in plain language about the possible consequences of the findings. According to which, our anonymous tester has a 12-13 percent risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer during her lifetime. It is considered to be equal to that of a woman in the general population.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I appreciated Dante Labs approach towards the results, though. They acknowledge that these results are never definitive as they only represent the current stage of science. The company specified in the results that they found some “unusual change” or “variant” classified as of unknown significance. This means that there is a portion of the gene that looks different from the way it’s normally expected to be. However, researchers haven’t confirmed whether this variant is a harmless change or a risk factor. Dante Labs reaffirmed that these variants remain on a “watch list” as researchers collect information to determine whether people who have it are at increased cancer risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs-brca-analysis.jpg\" alt=\"BRCA genetic test\" class=\"wp-image-16217\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs-brca-analysis.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs-brca-analysis-768x416.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs-brca-analysis-512x277.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs-brca-analysis-458x248.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All in all, the Dante Labs BRCA testing process is easy coupled with fast sampling. The company provides a thorough analysis and the raw data, but the results are hard to digest for the average person and the .pdf report is not updated with the latest results. Otherwise, I recommend everyone to get around BRCA or any other genetic tests cautiously and assess the results with the utmost care involving medical professionals and genetic counselors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons.png\" alt=\"BRCA genetic testing\" class=\"wp-image-16220\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons-768x768.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons-150x150.png 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons-512x512.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fdante-labs_prosandcons-250x250.png 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=efd6a3cd08\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u%3D5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3%26id%3Defd6a3cd08&source=gmail&ust=1534355444917000&usg=AFQjCNH9L0BP3FQtAahXcvw9Dg9JLtyZDw\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Dante Labs offered me their BRCA genetic test, which I gladly accepted as I never had an evaluation focused on my BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These are very important as their mutations increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men. Here is my verdict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,16213,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":26},[30],488,[32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41],163,256,259,260,271,275,289,354,355,522,[],[],[45,46,47,48,49],1727,1969,2033,2063,2967,[51,14,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67],"post-16209","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genomics","tag-cancer-2","tag-genes","tag-genetic-testing","tag-genetics","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-innovation","tag-personalized-genetics","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-gc3",{"id":24,"alt_text":26,"caption":26,"description":26,"media_type":69,"media_details":70,"post":5,"source_url":104},"image",{"width":71,"height":72,"file":73,"sizes":74,"image_meta":101},870,693,"2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover.jpg",{"medium":75,"large":81,"thumbnail":86,"medium_large":90,"large_old_512x408":91,"medium_old_314x250":96},{"file":76,"width":77,"height":78,"mime-type":79,"source_url":80},"brca-genetic-testing_cover-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-370x208.jpg",{"file":82,"width":83,"height":84,"mime-type":79,"source_url":85},"brca-genetic-testing_cover-768x612.jpg",768,612,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-768x612.jpg",{"file":87,"width":88,"height":88,"mime-type":79,"source_url":89},"brca-genetic-testing_cover-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-150x150.jpg",{"file":82,"width":83,"height":84,"mime-type":79,"source_url":85},{"file":92,"width":93,"height":94,"mime-type":79,"source_url":95},"brca-genetic-testing_cover-512x408.jpg",512,408,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-512x408.jpg",{"file":97,"width":98,"height":99,"mime-type":79,"source_url":100},"brca-genetic-testing_cover-314x250.jpg",314,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-314x250.jpg",{"aperture":102,"credit":26,"camera":26,"caption":26,"created_timestamp":102,"copyright":26,"focal_length":102,"iso":102,"shutter_speed":102,"title":26,"orientation":102,"keywords":103},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover.jpg",{"related_posts":106,"related_posts_footer":110,"cta_type":26,"cta_color":26,"subtitle":26,"related_books":20},[107,108,109],15120,14102,14029,[111,112,113],14192,21392,17759,{"yoast_wpseo_title":115,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":116,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"How Does a BRCA Genetic Test Work? - The Dante Labs Review","BRCA Genetic Test - Dante Labs Review: Why BRCA genes matter? Should everyone rush to get a BRCA genetic test? Check out the pros & cons!",{"self":118,"collection":124,"about":127,"author":130,"replies":134,"version-history":137,"predecessor-version":141,"wp:featuredmedia":145,"wp:attachment":148,"wp:term":151,"curies":167},[119],{"href":120,"targetHints":121},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16209",{"allow":122},[123],"GET",[125],{"href":126},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[128],{"href":129},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[131],{"embeddable":132,"href":133},true,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[135],{"embeddable":132,"href":136},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=16209",[138],{"count":139,"href":140},19,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16209\u002Frevisions",[142],{"id":143,"href":144},44909,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16209\u002Frevisions\u002F44909",[146],{"embeddable":132,"href":147},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F16213",[149],{"href":150},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=16209",[152,155,158,161,164],{"taxonomy":153,"embeddable":132,"href":154},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=16209",{"taxonomy":156,"embeddable":132,"href":157},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=16209",{"taxonomy":159,"embeddable":132,"href":160},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=16209",{"taxonomy":162,"embeddable":132,"href":163},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=16209",{"taxonomy":165,"embeddable":132,"href":166},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=16209",[168],{"name":169,"href":170,"templated":132},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[172],{"id":113,"date":173,"date_gmt":174,"guid":175,"modified":177,"modified_gmt":178,"slug":179,"status":13,"type":14,"link":180,"title":181,"content":183,"excerpt":185,"author":23,"featured_media":187,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":132,"template":26,"format":27,"meta":188,"categories":189,"tags":191,"project_category":204,"contact_email_category":205,"yst_prominent_words":206,"class_list":215,"better_featured_image":230,"acf":259,"yoast_meta":266,"_links":269},"2018-04-28T10:35:25","2018-04-28T08:35:25",{"rendered":176},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17759","2022-05-25T17:41:54","2022-05-25T15:41:54","would-you-want-to-know-whether-youre-at-risk-for-alzheimers","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-want-to-know-whether-youre-at-risk-for-alzheimers",{"rendered":182},"Would You Want To Know Whether You’re At Risk For Alzheimer’s?",{"rendered":184,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Do genetic tests help prepare for potential future health issues or do they open Pandora’s box full of concerns, worries and hypochondriac thoughts? Would you want to know your genetic fate? Whether you are at risk for Alzheimer’s or a chronic disease 30 years in advance? Would you want to live with this kind of information? Would you take the BRCA test to find out that you are at risk for breast cancer? What would you do if you were? The Medical Futurist team contemplated situations requiring hard, life-altering decisions. What would you do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Our genetic heritage carries secrets that are difficult to process\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In Season 8 of the iconic 2000’s medical comedy-drama series, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdb.com\u002Ftitle\u002Ftt0285403\u002F?ref_=fn_al_tt_1\">Scrubs\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fscrubs.wikia.com\u002Fwiki\u002FDan_Stonewater\">Dan Stonewater\u003C\u002Fa> checks his mother into Sacred Heart Hospital with signs of paranoia. It turns out that Mrs. Stonewater has a hereditary degenerative brain condition, Huntington’s disease. The main character, J.D., who became an attending physician during the seasons, suggested to him to take a genetic test to find out whether he had also inherited it. After being visibly torn, Dan decided against it. He reasoned that he didn’t want to live his life knowing something unavoidable. He said he might have it done in due time but that he just wanted to be free of that burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A disquieting \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2007\u002F03\u002F18\u002Fhealth\u002F18huntington.html\">piece of The New York Times\u003C\u002Fa> recounts Katharine Moser’s story, who against the advice of her mother, took a genetic test at the age of to find out whether she inherited Huntington’s disease from her grandfather’s line. After she received the confirmatory results, she went through different stages of grief. Denial as in – nothing happened, she is still the same person as she was before. Rage as in – why her? Why is she who has to take the burden of this ugly disease with no cure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>She even accepted a job at a nursing home in Manhattan, where there is a unit devoted entirely to Huntington’s. She tried to process the news actively: participated in awareness-raising campaigns, events organized by the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhdsa.org\u002F\">Huntington’s Disease Society of America\u003C\u002Fa>, discussed the genetic markers with others at risk for the disease in online forums. After a while, Moser realized the results of the test became a part of her life, and she had been living her days formed by the notion that she has a limited amount of time until signs of the condition will show. But until then, she started to learn how to ride a unicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17767\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fscientist-holding-medical-samples-in-laboratory.jpg\" alt=\"Genetic fate\" class=\"wp-image-17767\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fscientist-holding-medical-samples-in-laboratory.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fscientist-holding-medical-samples-in-laboratory-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fscientist-holding-medical-samples-in-laboratory-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fscientist-holding-medical-samples-in-laboratory-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: sbs.com.au\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Would you want to know what runs in your own family? Order a genetic test online!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Huntington’s disease is not the only condition whose risk you can detect by a genetic test, but it is one of those monogenic hereditary conditions, where modifications in a single gene can determine whether the person will develop the disease later in life. Similar diseases are for example thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis. With depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer or other illnesses on a long list of conditions, the likelihood of the disease increases with genetic inheritance, but environmental factors also play a role in their development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the appearance of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, getting to know your risks became simpler and more affordable. For a couple of hundred dollars, after a check swab sent back to the laboratories, you can find out what runs in your family and how much you are at risk of certain diseases. For example, Pathway Genomics screens patients for more than 120 recessive genetic disorders and offers a comprehensive preconception and prenatal package. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.23andme.com\u002Fen-int\u002F\">23andme\u003C\u002Fa> tests consumers for instance for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, hereditary hearing loss. Progenity’s regular preparental screening includes 29 disorders which may cause serious health effects in the future child. The Medical Futurist already tested Pathway Genomics to get a comprehensive overview of genetic heritage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17762\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fa-loupe-is-used-to-magnify-results-of-automated-dna-sequencing-displayed-on-computer-monitor.jpg\" alt=\"Genetic Fate\" class=\"wp-image-17762\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fa-loupe-is-used-to-magnify-results-of-automated-dna-sequencing-displayed-on-computer-monitor.jpg 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fa-loupe-is-used-to-magnify-results-of-automated-dna-sequencing-displayed-on-computer-monitor-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fa-loupe-is-used-to-magnify-results-of-automated-dna-sequencing-displayed-on-computer-monitor-512x338.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fa-loupe-is-used-to-magnify-results-of-automated-dna-sequencing-displayed-on-computer-monitor-379x250.jpg 379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: arstechnica.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>For centuries, there was no way to know\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The option of having a genetic test for health risks has been around only for the last couple of decades, not to speak about DTC testing. The possibility to order a test online and to get your genes sequenced in a couple of weeks has only been an option since 2008. For centuries, the only data in the possession of both the doctor and the patient were the symptoms. Coughs, rashes, seizures, fever, blood, urine. As modern medicine progressed, the diagnostic procedures, sample analytics, as well as treatments became more complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Interestingly, as time passed, patients also became more involved in their care. In the middle ages, no one went back to the doctor to be advised about vitamins or pain medication for a headache. The idea that patients have to deal with their treatment – how to be medicated, when to swallow pills, what to eat or not to eat – was only born some decades after the rise of modern medicine. Moreover, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.slate.com\u002Farticles\u002Farts\u002Fculturebox\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fthe_history_of_self_care.html\">the idea of self-care\u003C\u002Fa> as a way for patients to treat themselves and exercise healthy habits, most often under the guidance of a health professional was confined to mentally ill or older adults before the late 1960s or early 1970s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Currently, with the advancement of digital health, the appearance of wearables, portable diagnostic devices, everyone gets information which was not possible before. The types of medical information, such as vital signs, DNA, microbiome data, as well as the amount of data that the patient gets their hands on is astounding. However, that also comes with responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17763\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"663\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fself-care.jpg\" alt=\"Genetic fate\" class=\"wp-image-17763\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fself-care.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fself-care-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fself-care-512x390.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fself-care-328x250.jpg 328w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: selfcare247.co.za\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How much should the patient know?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As medical information was solely the terrain of medical professionals in the past, doctors had the exclusive responsibility to tell or not tell patients about possible risks. That can be a mortifyingly heavy burden. How do you explain to a cancer patient that she only has three months to live? How do you communicate with a son that his father suffers from a hereditary disease?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F3755176\u002Fdoctors-diagnose-alzheimers-dont-tell\u002F\">One of the few papers investigating the phenomenon of Alzheimer’s diagnoses found\u003C\u002Fa> that as few as 36% of doctors said they usually told their patients if they had Alzheimer’s. What was the main reason for the intentional omission? Fear of causing emotional distress to their patients and the lack of time and resources to fully explain what the diagnosis means. That was true of both primary care doctors as well as neurology specialists who have more expertise in brain-related disorders. Robert L. Wergin, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians told \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F3755176\u002Fdoctors-diagnose-alzheimers-dont-tell\u002F\">Time Magazine\u003C\u002Fa> that labeling someone with Alzheimer’s disease might have a serious effect on the individual who might think „well that’s it for me, I better start looking for nursing homes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the phenomenon of patient empowerment and the changing dynamic of the patient-doctor relationship, some of the burdens might shift towards the patient in getting to know their risks. At least, in the case of genetic conditions. Some people are already more actively embracing the option of peeking into their own fate. “We’re seeing a shift,” Dr. Michael Hayden, a professor of human genetics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2007\u002F03\u002F18\u002Fhealth\u002F18huntington.html\">told The New York Times\u003C\u002Fa>, who has been providing various tests for Huntington’s disease for 20 years. “Younger people are coming for testing now, people in their 20s and early 30s; before, that was rare. I’ve counseled some of them. They feel it is part of their heritage and that it is possible to lead a life that’s not defined by this gene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17764\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fslack-imgs-com1.jpeg\" alt=\"genetic fate\" class=\"wp-image-17764\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fslack-imgs-com1.jpeg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fslack-imgs-com1-768x520.jpeg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fslack-imgs-com1-512x347.jpeg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fslack-imgs-com1-369x250.jpeg 369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: fortune.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What can you do about it?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the case of monogenic conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, but also Alzheimer’s, there is no cure. If you decide to live with the knowledge, you have to face the burden of impotence. You can support the research for finding a treatment for the condition, but you have to live with the absolute fact that you cannot change the course of the disease, you only have the option for mitigating some symptoms. While, if you decide not to take a genetic test or not to be informed about its results, you can have the hope that you don’t have the faulty genes. However, if the disease had already some victims in the family, that might be a somewhat illusory one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In contrast, there are some conditions where you can only receive information about the risks of developing the disease and take precautionary measures. Some serious ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Angelina Jolie shocked film-loving audiences with the news about her double mastectomy after she \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2013\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fopinion\u002Fmy-medical-choice.html\">publicized her BRCA genetic testing results\u003C\u002Fa> and her risk for breast cancer. A merciless but effective way to avoid getting breast cancer. She decided to let her own body mutilate and her breasts, one of the symbols of womanhood, removed in an act of defense for her health. Could you make such a huge sacrifice for your body? Would you do the BRCA genetic test knowing that in case of carrying the risk for breast cancer you have such a harsh step as your choice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie.jpg\" alt=\"BRCA genetic test\" class=\"wp-image-16212\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-768x453.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-512x302.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fangelina-jolie-424x250.jpg 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Weighing the pros and cons in case of the BRCA test\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many would say it depends on the size of the risk. Together, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations account for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Fcauses-prevention\u002Fgenetics\u002Fbrca-fact-sheet#r2\">about 20-25 percent of hereditary breast cancers; and about 5-10 percent of all breast cancers\u003C\u002Fa>, which means quite an elevated risk. These numbers are even higher in the case of ovarian tumors: mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Fcauses-prevention\u002Fgenetics\u002Fbrca-fact-sheet#r3\">15 percent of that cancer type overall\u003C\u002Fa>. So, if you know that breast cancer is in your family history, would you take a BRCA test? And if so, what do you do if the test is positive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bmj.com\u002Fcontent\u002F355\u002Fbmj.i6357\">found that\u003C\u002Fa> many women rushed to get genetic testing the days after Angelina Jolie’s announcement about the results of her BRCA testing. The “Angelina effect” was so intense that based on insurance claims for nearly 10 million women aged 18 to 64, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2017\u002F01\u002F05\u002Fangelina-jolie-brca-testing\u002F\">BRCA testing rose 64 percent in the US in the 15 days\u003C\u002Fa> after Jolie described her BRCA results and surgery. Moreover, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC4659163\u002F\">long-term study highlighted\u003C\u002Fa> later that not only did the UK health system experience a 2.5-fold increase in referrals of UK women with family histories of breast cancer following Jolie’s revelation, but they reported a similar 2.5-fold rise in risk-reducing mastectomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"693\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16213\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-512x408.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F08\u002Fbrca-genetic-testing_cover-314x250.jpg 314w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>In need of guidance for health risks and further steps\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What does Angelina Jolie’s example say about BRCA testing and genetic risks? That if people have the tools to get to know their future risks and they can take steps for avoiding their “fate” they are willing to take the path. In this case, the publicity and the hype naturally induced increased interest in genetic testing, as it made many women aware that such tests exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>That also means that people need guidance. They look up to others who already set an example for self-care, but The Medical Futurist indeed believes that in spite of the changing doctor-patient relationship, we will be in dire need for the experience, the vision and guidance of physicians. Doctors who would explain what the results of the genetic tests mean for the future of the patient. Doctors who are entirely aware of the ethical implications of their medical advice. Moreover, doctors who would advise for or against a risk-reducing mastectomy in each case depending on the person. Their knowledge and their years in medical practice will be irreplaceable when patients come to them and say they are facing a life-altering health decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-17765\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fempathy.jpg\" alt=\"Genetic fate\" class=\"wp-image-17765\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fempathy.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fempathy-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fempathy-512x342.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fempathy-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: medicalnewstoday.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Patients have to grow up to the idea of a proactive patient\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, it will be patients who will decide in the end. There will be fewer and fewer situations in the future, where doctors will have the sole responsibility to determine a patient’s case. Proactive patients will want to take part in their own care, be fully involved in their treatment and even go as far as trying to determine and shape their own future – through genetic tests for health risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Medical Futurist believes that if you can take steps after receiving the genetic test, that’s a beneficial knowledge. However, if that’s something that leaves you impotent or with the knowledge of the possibility for a chronic disease within the next 30 years, it has to be carefully considered whether the person wants to take on that burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there are already many areas where you can do a lot for your health without even getting a genetic test done. You can measure your data with wearables; you can eat healthy food, you can go out and exercise, you can ask your doctor about your concerns and issues. The Medical Futurist believes that everyone has to get their game up and get ready for 21\u003Csup>st\u003C\u002Fsup>-century healthcare, that is only state-of-the-art and accessible if we do everything for prevention and we are proactive partners in our care. That’s why it is of utmost importance to be conscious and contemplate questions like this. So, would you want to know your fate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feepurl.com\u002FZejiT\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n",{"rendered":186,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Do genetic tests help prepare for potential future health issues or do they open Pandora’s box full of concerns, worries and hypochondriac thoughts? Would you want to know your genetic fate? Whether you are at risk for Alzheimer’s or a chronic disease 30 years in advance? Would you want to live with this kind of information? Would you take the BRCA test to find out that you are at risk for breast cancer? What would you do if you were? The Medical Futurist team contemplated situations requiring hard, life-altering decisions. What would you do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",17768,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":26},[190,30],511,[192,193,35,194,195,196,197,198,199,200,201,202,203],218,246,262,631,139,694,209,890,212,891,213,892,[],[],[207,208,209,210,45,211,46,212,48,213,214],4677,1571,1631,1723,1883,1981,3025,3561,[216,14,52,53,54,55,56,217,57,218,219,61,220,221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228,229],"post-17759","category-bioethics","tag-dtc","tag-future","tag-genomics","tag-patient-empowerment","tag-alzheimer","tag-personal-genomics","tag-disease","tag-huntingtons","tag-dna","tag-doctor-patient","tag-dna-testing","tag-doctor-patient-relationship",{"id":187,"alt_text":231,"caption":232,"description":26,"media_type":69,"media_details":233,"post":113,"source_url":258},"Genetic fate","Source: geneticliteracyproject.org",{"width":71,"height":234,"file":235,"sizes":236,"image_meta":256},581,"2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate.jpg",{"medium":237,"large":240,"thumbnail":244,"medium_large":247,"large_old_512x342":248,"medium_old_375x250":252},{"file":238,"width":77,"height":78,"mime-type":79,"source_url":239},"genetic-fate-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate-370x208.jpg",{"file":241,"width":83,"height":242,"mime-type":79,"source_url":243},"genetic-fate-768x513.jpg",513,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate-768x513.jpg",{"file":245,"width":88,"height":88,"mime-type":79,"source_url":246},"genetic-fate-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate-150x150.jpg",{"file":241,"width":83,"height":242,"mime-type":79,"source_url":243},{"file":249,"width":93,"height":250,"mime-type":79,"source_url":251},"genetic-fate-512x342.jpg",342,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate-512x342.jpg",{"file":253,"width":254,"height":99,"mime-type":79,"source_url":255},"genetic-fate-375x250.jpg",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate-375x250.jpg",{"aperture":102,"credit":26,"camera":26,"caption":26,"created_timestamp":102,"copyright":26,"focal_length":102,"iso":102,"shutter_speed":102,"title":26,"orientation":102,"keywords":257},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F04\u002Fgenetic-fate.jpg",{"related_posts":260,"related_posts_footer":264,"cta_type":26,"cta_color":26,"subtitle":26,"related_books":20},[261,262,263],15713,13151,15142,[107,108,265],15976,{"yoast_wpseo_title":267,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":268,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":180},"Would You Want To Know Whether You’re At Risk For Alzheimer’s? - The Medical Futurist","Would you want to know your genetic fate? The Medical Futurist team contemplated situations requiring hard, life-altering decisions. What would you do?",{"self":270,"collection":275,"about":277,"author":279,"replies":281,"version-history":284,"predecessor-version":288,"wp:featuredmedia":292,"wp:attachment":295,"wp:term":298,"curies":309},[271],{"href":272,"targetHints":273},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17759",{"allow":274},[123],[276],{"href":126},[278],{"href":129},[280],{"embeddable":132,"href":133},[282],{"embeddable":132,"href":283},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17759",[285],{"count":286,"href":287},21,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17759\u002Frevisions",[289],{"id":290,"href":291},46424,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17759\u002Frevisions\u002F46424",[293],{"embeddable":132,"href":294},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F17768",[296],{"href":297},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17759",[299,301,303,305,307],{"taxonomy":153,"embeddable":132,"href":300},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17759",{"taxonomy":156,"embeddable":132,"href":302},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17759",{"taxonomy":159,"embeddable":132,"href":304},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17759",{"taxonomy":162,"embeddable":132,"href":306},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17759",{"taxonomy":165,"embeddable":132,"href":308},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17759",[310],{"name":169,"href":170,"templated":132},[],1788949290900]