Ellen T. Matloff, My Gene Counsel President and CEO, was featured in Nature last week discussing how misinterpreted results of genetic testing for cancer risk can result in unnecessary surgery. This story follow’s Angelina Jolie Pitt’s disclosure that she...
Last week in Genetic Privacy Part 1, we discussed the potential harm done when a patient chooses not to share her data with other family members. Such arguments, and the argument that widely sharing genetic data would advance scientific research, have made some...
The debate about who should have access to genetic test results has been argued for decades. There are many factors to consider, including: individual rights, the rights of family members, medical liability, insurance issues, and the betterment of scientific research....
It is well-known that women who carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are at high risk to develop breast cancer (50-85% lifetime risk) and ovarian cancer (15-60% lifetime risk). Because the screening options for ovarian cancer (transvaginal ultrasound, the blood test...
Earlier this month, singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge appeared on the Dr. Oz show to discuss her 10-year breast cancer survivorship, her BRCA+ status, and her views on cancer development. Etheridge reiterated her views on prophylactic surgery for BRCA carriers,...