Past ovarian cancer patient samples to be re-examined so relatives can know heightened risk

A REVOLUTIONARY Melbourne program will screen samples from past ovarian cancer patients for genetic mutations so relatives can get lifesaving news out of the blue warning they have a heightened risk.

RELATIVES of women killed by ovarian cancer may get lifesaving news out of the blue warning they have a heightened risk of cancer.

In a revolutionary program to anticipate cancers linked to genetic mutations, past ovarian cancer patients’ saved tumour samples will be re-examined to see whether BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are present.

OVARIAN CANCER SCREENING TEST IN DEVELOPMENT

OVARIAN CANCER AND ASTHMA THERAPY FAST-TRACKED BY VICTORIAN FUND

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?

HEALTH INSURERS LASH LABOR’S PLAN TO CAP PREMIUMS

Where the genetic mutations are found, that ­patient’s close relatives will be contacted.

It is expected the Pater MaCallam Cancer Centre program could save thousands of Australians from ovarian, breast, prostate, pancreatic and other cancers linked to BRCA mutations.

But the Traceback program, backed by the federal government and Ovarian Cancer Australia, has also raised ethical questions about the possibility that medical conditions will be diagnosed without individuals’ knowledge or consent.

Steps have been taken to minimise chances of people receiving unwanted news but Professor David Bowtell said the opportunity to give people a chance to avert disease could not be ignored.

“There is a legacy of people who are left behind or missed out (on screening), and we don’t want to just sit on our hands and wait until there is another cancer in the family, when it then gets picked up,” Prof Bowtell said.

“We think this is the best shot we have got in preventing breast, ovarian, and other cancers which are predominant on the male side.

“For every patient that may be surprised and troubled with the results, we think there will be many more who will be appreciative.”

Professor David Bowtell says yhe opportunity to give people a chance to avert ovarian cancer can not be ignored. Picture: Supplied

Of 11,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 2001 and 2016, it is estimated that 1500 carried the BRCA mutations.

Carrying the mutations can increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer from a low percentage to 59 per cent. The mutations are also linked to the occurrence of breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers and haematological malignancies.

People with a family history of BRCA-related cancer can be tested for the mutations and opt for regular screening or even surgery.

Prof Bowtell said people would not be cold-called but would be informed that information possibly relevant to them was available, should they want to follow it up.

Where samples are from survivors, those patients will be contacted directly.

The program is already being copied overseas, where it is expected to save tens of thousands of lives each year.

The federal government provided $3 million in funding for the program, which Health Minister Greg Hunt will announce today.

“Many women will be unaware they could be carrying this gene mutation and our hope is that this project pre-empts the onset of cancer,” Mr Hunt said.

Nicky Carp, whose grandmother died of breast cancer, learned at 26 she was carrying the BRCA2 mutation.

Nicky Carp. Picture: Jason Edwards

She attended risk management clinics, and later had surgery. Now 46, she is thankful she had the knowledge to control her health.

“It was overwhelming at first, but it is not a diagnosis — it is knowledge.

“And that gives you choices that can ultimately save your life,” Ms Carp said.

[e-mail]