ONE of the world’s most famous women pushed the breast cancer debate to the front of the headlines earlier this month, after revealing in a New York Times editorial that she had undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing the disease.
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Angelina Jolie made the decision to undergo the preventive surgery earlier this year after the death of her mother from ovarian cancer in 2007 and the discovery that she was carrying the faulty BRCA1 gene.
Around five per cent of breast and ovarian cancers are due to an inherited faulty gene. A blood test can confirm the presence of the gene.
Local university and TAFE teacher Tracy Sorensen knows all too well the importance of screening and testing when it comes to cancer.
Ms Sorensen has a strong family history of both breast and cervical cancer and said alarm bells started to ring for her when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
“This diagnosis – coupled with the death of our cousin from ovarian cancer and the revelation that our father was carrying the ‘cancer gene’ – made the issue very real in our family,” Ms Sorensen said.
“My sister and I both had the genetic testing done and it was revealed we had inherited the BRCA1 gene.”
From there, Ms Sorensen and her sister faced one of the toughest decisions of their lives. Both women opted for surgery to remove their ovaries and then their breasts.
“Yes, it was a big decision; but for me, it was one that I was immediately committed to,” she said. “I have now gone from almost certain to get cancer, down to below the population risk. I feel very happy with my decision.”
Gillian Shannon is a genetic counsellor with Bathurst Community Health, based at Bathurst hospital.
“The Angelina Jolie story has certainly increased the awareness around familial cancers,” she said. “It is important for people to remember that this type of cancer is rare, making up five per cent of breast cancers. But if you have a family history, it is definitely worth checking.”
Genetic testing in NSW is state funded and can be accessed for free as long as patients meet certain eligibility criteria, which includes a family history assessment.
