Preliminary research results and the media – more harm than good?
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A preliminary study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology this past week suggests that women who have mutations in the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes and are exposed to any X-rays have a greater chance of developing cancer.
Over 1600 women with a mutation in either their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes were questioned about whether or not they had ever had an x-ray. The study revealed that the women who had received chest x-rays were around 54% more likely to get breast cancer. And if they had the x-ray before they were 20, they were 2.5 times more likely to have breast cancer before they were 40.
This study was reported by Reuters, Forbes and others who did make it clear that it was just a preliminary study. Issues about the problems with self-reporting on questionaires were discussed also – as well as the fact that even high risk women don’t usually start having mammograms before 20.
Despite those caveats a study like this being reported by the general media might leave some high risk women – or even those without the mutations – afraid of getting mammograms.
It may very well be true that women with the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations may be increasing their chances of developing breast cancer even more by getting mammograms – it is known that some percent of the population is more at risk from radiation damage due to x-rays. Plus BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are believed to be involved in DNA repair mechanisms.
If it turns out to be a big enough risk it may prompt the faster development of alternative screening methods for breast cancer – possibly methods that are more comfortable for women.
Meanwhile – do you think it does more harm than good when these types of studies are released? Is it best that all research results – even if preliminary – are made available to the public? Is it worth the risk of some women being afraid of getting regular mammograms? Do most people understand the relationships between genes, mutations and cancer well enough to put the study into a proper perspective?
I lean toward having results of all medical and scientific results available to all regardless of the confusion it might cause. I can see how others may disagree though. What do you think?
(Technorati Tags: BRCA1, BRCA2, breast cancer, mammogram, genes)
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3 Responses to 'Preliminary research results and the media – more harm than good?'
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on July 2nd, 2006 at 2:00 am
[…] In fact, genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer is available at DNA Direct (disclosure: they are a sponsor of Genetics and Health). Trisha at Ideas for Women talks about the recent preliminary study that showed women with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may be at greater risk of developing cancer if they’ve received chest X-rays. Trisha asks, “Preliminary research results and the media – more harm than good?” […]
on July 11th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
This is one of those things that is going to go back and forth for a while before it is really clear. Today doing a lit search I found a different article that suggests BRCA mutation carriers with breast cancer respond better to radiation therapy. I also think it is becoming fairly commonplace that BRCA carriers be offered breast MRI rather than mammogram, simply because they start screening younger and mammograms can be difficult to interpret in younger, denser breasts.
on June 26th, 2007 at 8:07 am
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