Breast cancer checks and prevention
Print Edition
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the fifth leading cancer killer for Chinese women. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, early genetic screening is an effective measure for early detection, especially among those with high risks, medical experts said.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two major genes related with inherited breast cancer and also the two genes with mature testing technology, which is available in the city.
Research found about 12 percent of women have a chance of getting breast cancer. About 55 to 65 percent with mutation on BRCA1 and 45 percent with mutation of BRAC2 can suffer breast cancer before they are 70 years old, according to Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Testing on BRCA1/2 genes can measure the risk of having cancer, as well as the risk of cancer for other family members. But not all women need genetic testing, as inherited breast cancer only covers 5 to 10 percent among all breast cancer cases and only those with family members having mutation on these genes need genetic screening, Shanghai CDC said.
“Healthy lifestyle and regular physical checkup are enough for ordinary people,” said CDC on its official WeChat account.
Experts from Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, the nation’s first partner of US-based Massachusetts General Hospital, said people with family members suffering ovarian, breast, pancreas, prostate and mutation of BRCA1/2 cancers are those with high risk and should receive genetic consulting, testing and risk evaluation on breast cancer.
“Doctors will monitor familial inheritance, genetic mutation and physical condition to forecast a person’s risk of having breast cancer and give relevant suggestions,” said Dr He Qing from Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital. “Those with high risk should receive an MRI and mammography check every year from the age of 30. Those with a very high risk should receive such checks from the age of 25, while ordinary women only need such screening from 40 years old.”
There are different screening and prevention measures. Those with mutation of BRCA1/2 can undergo preventative surgery like Angelina Jolie to reduce the risk of developing cancer. A double mastectomy can reduce 90 percent of risk of development breast cancer. There are also medications for cancer control, doctors added.
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