Mainstream media and the annual pink campaigns have led to rising concerns about the breast cancer genes (BRCA 1 and BRCA2) with the result of millions of women around the world asking for the test. This has led to considerable anxiety both for women with unknown BRCA gene status, to say nothing of those who find themselves with a positive test result.  Of greater concern however is the increasingly common decision for women to opt for a preventative mastectomy off the back of these results – take Angelina Jolie as a prime example!

However, a recent study published in The Lancet Oncology demonstrated that these concerns were unfounded.  The following is an excerpt of the results of this study as covered by the BBC in their online article entitled, “Breast cancer survival unaffected by faulty gene”.

“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.

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.

About a third of those with the BRCA mutation had a double mastectomy to remove both breasts after being diagnosed with cancer. This surgery did not appear to improve their chances of survival at the 10-year mark.”

In short, this study demonstrated that the presence of BRCA genes did not influence survival outcomes.  The results of this study are significant, not only in terms of serving to empower women in avoiding the associated anxiety of the assumed ‘lottery of their genes’ with often-times excessive and inappropriate decisions such as elected mastectomies, but it also serves to reinforce the science of Epigenetics which reveals that we are not victims of genetic determinism destined to succumb to the cancers of our parents and grandparents.

In summary, the results of this 10 year study coupled with Epigenetics, remind us that we do not need to live in fear our genes, but rather that we exert considerable influence in governing how our genes express themselves both in health and disease by making improved diet and lifestyle decisions.  Great news of course for anyone who wants to play an active role in determining their ongoing health!