BRAC Analysis Gives Local Woman Peace Of Mind

COLUMBUS, Ohio—You may have seen ads alerting you that you can be tested for the breast cancer gene. It’s the latest in the fight against breast cancer.

It’s a simple test that a local woman knew she wanted.

Since the minute Dee Dee James found out she had breast cancer, she wanted to know if she carried the gene.

“I definitely wanted to know, just because for my own daughter. I have a daughter who is 15 and I wanted to know for her and I wanted to know where it came from,“ James said.

Through genetic counseling, James found out. She tested positive for the mutation and at 39 years old, she had a double mastectomy, hysterectomy and is still going through chemotherapy.

Genetic counselor Lindsey Byrne said 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer cases are hereditary—especially in young patients.

“Under age 50 or pre-menopausal breast cancer, plus two relatives with breast cancer or if you have family history of ovarian cancer and breast cancer,“ Byrne said.

The test is called BRAC Analysis and looks at two genes—BRCA 1 and 2.

It’s a blood test that reveals your risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

A positive test showing a gene mutation means an up to 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer and up to 60 percent of developing ovarian cancer.

But there are options for prevention.

“If they are interested in having prophylactic mastectomy, that’s an option, as well as MRI plus mammograms, or additional screenings to be preventative and make sure that 85 percent isn’t that person,“ Byrne said.

The test costs approximately $3,000, but Byrne said that most insurance companies cover 80 percent of the cost.

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