Early Breast Cancer Detection from Home: DeBio Network Now Provides BRCA Gene Testing With SITH ITB
DeBio Network is working with the School of Life Sciences and Technology ITB to facilitate genetic testing to detect breast cancer risks in patients at the convenience of their homes.
Are you curious whether you are highly susceptible to breast cancer? Does your family have a history of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer? DeBio network now provides a comprehensive BRCA genetic testing feature.
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are the two significant susceptibility genes associated with breast and ovary cancer. The first BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutation screening test became available in 1996 as a clinical service and has become an alternative for patients.
Mutations of the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes can significantly increase the risk of cancer in patients, including:
- Breast cancer
- Male breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Melanoma
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, and 7.8 million women were diagnosed with it between 2015 and 2020. Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in women in the United States, but the number of deaths today has decreased drastically (41% drop compared to the 1980s) thanks to early detection and treatment improvements.
Early detection of breast cancer in women is crucial to the survival of breast cancer patients. According to research by Alkabban and Ferguson in 2018, about 93% of patients with stage II breast cancer survived the ordeal when detected early within five years. Mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer by using an X-ray to picture a 3D representation of the breast condition.
An alternative solution is to use BRCA gene testing. BRCA, or breast cancer gene, was discovered by Dr. Mary-Claire King as the gene locus that underlies hereditary breast cancer. In 2014, Dr. King received the Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science for her contributions to discovering the BRCA-1 gene and using DNA sequencing to identify missing persons.
Dr. rer. Nat. Marselina Irasonia Tan from the School of Life Sciences and Technology of ITB stated, “Knowing the mutation of BRCA1/2 is very important, especially to perform the best therapy for the patients. Mutation of BRCA1/2 is observable using cell-free DNA, a new potential component from the liquid biopsy.”
You should consider getting a BRCA genetic test if:
- You have experienced two or more types of cancer.
- One or more of your close relatives has been diagnosed with breast cancer or other BRCA-associated cancers.
- A relative with a known BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 mutation.
- Your family has a history of hereditary breast cancer.
According to cancer.gov, around 13% of women will generally develop breast cancer sometime during their lives. About 55%–72% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 variant and 45%–69% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 variant will develop breast cancer at the age of 70–80.
Testing could also differ between patients. For example, patients with a close relative with a known BRCA mutation might only focus on testing for that mutation. However, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent testing will be on common mutations in this group of people.
DeBio Network is working with SITH-ITB to provide a urine-based BRCA genetic test. The test requires the patients to send 5 mL of urine within 63 days at most. The test will focus on the exon2 mutation of the BRCA-1 gene. This test will help determine whether you are at risk of breast cancer in men or women and risk of ovary cancer in women.
Dr. Karlia Meitha, a genetic and biomolecular expert from the SITH ITB, has stated, “This novel testing method allows non-invasive sample collection, unlike the others that require blood collection.”
Early detection of mutation in your BRCA-1 gene can help you take preemptive measures towards your health and, more importantly, increase your chances of survival if you are tested positive. Best of all, you do not need to come to the facility, and you can do the test from the comfort of your own home.
DISCLAIMER
Any service on the DeBio platform is provided for research, informational, and educational use only. We do not provide medical or diagnostic advice. Users should always seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider with any questions you may have regarding diagnosis, cure, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of any disease or other medical condition or impairment or the status of your health.
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