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Angelina Jolie gene testing for all? Angelina Jolie gene testing for all?
(about 9 hours later)
Testing all women for the "Angelina Jolie gene", even if not considered at risk, would prevent cancers, save lives and is cost effective, say doctors.Testing all women for the "Angelina Jolie gene", even if not considered at risk, would prevent cancers, save lives and is cost effective, say doctors.
The Hollywood actress had her breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed due to the high risk of cancer in her case.The Hollywood actress had her breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed due to the high risk of cancer in her case.
Women tend to be offered testing for the corrupted gene if cancer runs in the family.Women tend to be offered testing for the corrupted gene if cancer runs in the family.
However, the team at Queen Mary University of London says there are added benefits in testing everyone.However, the team at Queen Mary University of London says there are added benefits in testing everyone.
When women are diagnosed they can be monitored more closely for cancer and many, like Angelina Jolie, have preventive surgery.When women are diagnosed they can be monitored more closely for cancer and many, like Angelina Jolie, have preventive surgery.
Breast cancer survival 'unaffected by faulty gene'Breast cancer survival 'unaffected by faulty gene'
The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, estimated the impact of screening all 27 million women over 30 in the UK.The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, estimated the impact of screening all 27 million women over 30 in the UK.
They said it would:They said it would:
The study also said mass screening would be cost-effective for the health service.The study also said mass screening would be cost-effective for the health service.
Dr Ranjit Manchanda, a consultant gynaecological oncologist and one of the researchers, told the BBC: "It [would] prevent many more cancers and save many more lives.Dr Ranjit Manchanda, a consultant gynaecological oncologist and one of the researchers, told the BBC: "It [would] prevent many more cancers and save many more lives.
"But this is the first step in the process. We can't offer it immediately in the general population. We still need to understand how to deliver it.""But this is the first step in the process. We can't offer it immediately in the general population. We still need to understand how to deliver it."
Challenges include how to test so many people and how to offer genetic counselling to women affected.Challenges include how to test so many people and how to offer genetic counselling to women affected.
BRCA Faulty gene
Mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can impair the body's ability to repair damage to DNA in its cells.Mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can impair the body's ability to repair damage to DNA in its cells.
This can greatly increase the risk of developing cancers.This can greatly increase the risk of developing cancers.
Royal Marsden Hospital - Beginners Guide to BRCARoyal Marsden Hospital - Beginners Guide to BRCA
Athena Lamnisos, the chief executive of ovarian cancer charity The Eve Appeal, said: "The impact that this study could have on healthcare in the future for these cancers is promising and an exciting step forward in prevention." Athena Lamnisos, the chief executive of women's cancer charity The Eve Appeal, said: "The impact that this study could have on healthcare in the future for these cancers is promising and an exciting step forward in prevention."
Samia al Qadhi, the chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said the findings were fascinating, but there were still many questions to answer.Samia al Qadhi, the chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said the findings were fascinating, but there were still many questions to answer.
She said: "Being tested for a faulty gene is absolutely no walk in the park - preparing for possible life-changing results for a whole family is overwhelming and emotionally draining.She said: "Being tested for a faulty gene is absolutely no walk in the park - preparing for possible life-changing results for a whole family is overwhelming and emotionally draining.
"Support for people tested and for the tough decisions that can follow must be at the heart of any plans for population screening.""Support for people tested and for the tough decisions that can follow must be at the heart of any plans for population screening."
The UK's National Screening Committee said it would look at the findings "with interest".The UK's National Screening Committee said it would look at the findings "with interest".
Follow James on Twitter.Follow James on Twitter.