Genetics and Cancer Risk: More options, more tests, more prevention, more ... - Monitor
The decision ended a Utah company’s monopoly on a test for abnormalities in two genes (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2) that are associated with an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Since the court decision, companies have introduced new, lower priced genetic tests. More genetic testing options offer the potential of early detection in patients with enhanced risk of developing colon, breast, uterine, ovarian and kidney cancer. But there is a potential down side to readily available, low cost testing — if patients consider test results alone, outside of a comprehensive risk evaluation. Weighing the pros and cons of being tested and then ordering the appropriate test is only step one. The genetic testing marketplace today is growing and changing, with more than 20 companies entering the testing arena in the past two years. For example, one company’s “breast panel” might examine nine genes while a competitor offers an expanded 23 gene panel. Another concern is the expansion of genetic testing to include examining rare or uncommon genes, resulting. Source: www.themonitor.com
