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Breast cancer gene mutation 'doesn't affect survival' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Young women treated for breast cancer have the same survival rates regardless of whether they have the BRCA gene mutation, a study suggests. | Young women treated for breast cancer have the same survival rates regardless of whether they have the BRCA gene mutation, a study suggests. |
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase a woman's risk of breast cancer by four-to-eightfold. | The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase a woman's risk of breast cancer by four-to-eightfold. |
The study of 2,733 British women also found a double mastectomy did not improve survival rates for patients with the mutation 10 years later. | The study of 2,733 British women also found a double mastectomy did not improve survival rates for patients with the mutation 10 years later. |
An expert said women should take time to decide if surgery was for them. | An expert said women should take time to decide if surgery was for them. |
BRCA has been dubbed the 'Angelina Jolie gene', after the actress revealed she underwent surgery on learning she had an up to 87% chance of developing breast cancer. | BRCA has been dubbed the 'Angelina Jolie gene', after the actress revealed she underwent surgery on learning she had an up to 87% chance of developing breast cancer. |
Mutations in these genes stop DNA repairing itself and increase the risk of cancer developing. | Mutations in these genes stop DNA repairing itself and increase the risk of cancer developing. |
They are also linked to ovarian and prostate cancers, as well as breast cancer. | They are also linked to ovarian and prostate cancers, as well as breast cancer. |
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, found 12% of 2,733 women aged 18 to 40 treated for breast cancer at 127 hospitals across the UK between 2000 and 2008 had a BRCA mutation. | The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, found 12% of 2,733 women aged 18 to 40 treated for breast cancer at 127 hospitals across the UK between 2000 and 2008 had a BRCA mutation. |
The women's medical records were tracked for up to 10 years. | The women's medical records were tracked for up to 10 years. |
During this time, 651 of the women died from breast cancer, and those with the BRCA mutation were equally likely to have survived at the two-, five- and 10-year mark as those without the genetic mutation. | During this time, 651 of the women died from breast cancer, and those with the BRCA mutation were equally likely to have survived at the two-, five- and 10-year mark as those without the genetic mutation. |
This was not affected by the women's body mass index or ethnicity. | This was not affected by the women's body mass index or ethnicity. |
About a third of those with the BRCA mutation had a double mastectomy. This surgery did not appear to improve their chances of survival at the 10-year mark. | About a third of those with the BRCA mutation had a double mastectomy. This surgery did not appear to improve their chances of survival at the 10-year mark. |
'More time to decide' | 'More time to decide' |
The study's author, Professor Diana Eccles, of the University of Southampton, said: "Women diagnosed with early breast cancer who carry a BRCA mutation are often offered double mastectomies soon after their diagnosis or chemotherapy treatment. | The study's author, Professor Diana Eccles, of the University of Southampton, said: "Women diagnosed with early breast cancer who carry a BRCA mutation are often offered double mastectomies soon after their diagnosis or chemotherapy treatment. |
"However, our findings suggest that this surgery does not have to be immediately undertaken along with the other treatment." | "However, our findings suggest that this surgery does not have to be immediately undertaken along with the other treatment." |
Surgery may still be beneficial for patients to reduce their risk in the longer term, such as two to three decades after their initial diagnosis. | Surgery may still be beneficial for patients to reduce their risk in the longer term, such as two to three decades after their initial diagnosis. |
Fiona MacNeill, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, who was not involved in the research, said: "This study can reassure young women with breast cancer, particularly those with triple negative cancer or who are BRCA carriers, that breast conservation with radiotherapy is a safe option in the first decade after diagnosis and double mastectomy is not essential or mandatory at initial treatment. | Fiona MacNeill, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, who was not involved in the research, said: "This study can reassure young women with breast cancer, particularly those with triple negative cancer or who are BRCA carriers, that breast conservation with radiotherapy is a safe option in the first decade after diagnosis and double mastectomy is not essential or mandatory at initial treatment. |
She added: "In view of this, younger women with breast cancer can take time to discuss whether radical breast surgery is the right choice for them as part of a longer-term risk reducing strategy." | She added: "In view of this, younger women with breast cancer can take time to discuss whether radical breast surgery is the right choice for them as part of a longer-term risk reducing strategy." |
The authors note the findings do not apply to older women. | The authors note the findings do not apply to older women. |
Have you received treatment for breast cancer? Do you have the BRCA gene? Tell us your story at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you received treatment for breast cancer? Do you have the BRCA gene? Tell us your story at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |