Genetic Test Scams: Breast Cancer BRCA testing Exploiting Fear (Part 2)

If you haven't already, see part 1 of this mini-series on direct to consumer advertising of breast cancer genetic screening. Diagnostics like these are very powerful, but we want the power to come to the patient, not the profits.

This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.

So, if 50% get breast CA.. then 50% don’t get CA. What’s going on?

The lifestyle components appear just as large, if not larger, than the genetic component! But it’s harder to sell a lifestyle than a genetic test. It can be hard work: stress reduction, good sleep, a healthy environment without toxins, exercise, a healthy diet. And I’m not talking about fad diets here.

My patients just don’t hear that there’s more to the story. The genetics aren’t absolute! Even if the system paints in that way.

The doctors and scientists behind this research do incredible, life saving work, but see how the system is in charge of what women actually see in the media?

A small percentage of patients gain potentially valuable information from the genetic testing. But the vast majority of women are scared and anxious, rightly so, and they’re being advertised a product that can exploit that fear. The results of these tests are confusing to most women. And the message simply doesn’t emphasize the potential to change their breast cancer risk.

There’s so much women can do to take control of their breast cancer risk. And that’s motivating to my patients. It’s been life changing for my mom.

Selling genetic testing directly to patients without fully explaining the complicated statistics can have real harm. Genetic testing can be powerful, but it needs to include patient education and empowerment. It can't emphasize the genetics and downplay patient power, like a scam that runs interference. Furthermore, causing fear about genetic information may even worsen your risk for bad outcomes

If nothing else, incredible spending on pharmaceutical advertisement has to come from someone's pockets.. probably yours and mine.

You have more power over your health than they want you to know.

[KS-sfvo]

I thought home testing kits are very useful. Now I won’t waste my time and money. Thank you doctor

[michellekatz]

“You have more power over your health than they want you to know “. Love it!!!

[karenbadawi]

Commenting to commend your ethics !!
Education - the key to prevention.

[maryannbrown]

In the late 1980s, the BRCA tests were prohibitively expensive or even not available yet to doctors. My friend and her sister had prophylactic double mastectomies after they had finished breastfeeding their baby girls. You see, their mother and their younger sister (age 27) had died of breast cancer. They were counseled at the Mayo Clinic to have the surgeries “because they had an 80% higher risk than normal of developing breast cancer.” It was a no brainer for them because they wanted to live to a ripe old age and see their children grow up. When the BRCA 1 & 2 genetic tests were finally available and affordable, they got tested. Neither of them were positive for the gene!! They were not sorry for their choices because they did it for their daughters. Also, neither of them had reconstructive surgeries because they were done having surgery.

[bkind]

I was a new patient and the Doctors office pushed the BRCA testing to all new patients. I took it and came back high risk for Breast Cancer, ovarian cancer, medium risk for pancreatic cancer and melanoma of the eyes. I did discuss if it comes back as a high risk I would consider mastectomy and hysterectomy. The doctor came back with my results and was excited that I was a candidate for high risk. I didn’t appreciate how she was excited and no consideration on how I was going to react. My doctor was so excited she even had a full panel meeting that she had a candidate willing to move forward with these removals. Not liking her excited reaction and discussing with other doctors as if she was going to get an award, I told her I would like to look further into it but would like to schedule my yearly blood work and auto immune ANA blood work. I was told, until I do a follow up with the gynecologist about my mastectomy and hysterectomy, she wasn’t going to schedule my blood work. Well, I didn’t go back to the office until 18 months later. Guess she got over here possible fame of being the first in the area to have a candidate.

[selkoa]

did the test for free. saved me for getting a biopsy. cancer free

[ninabasagic]

I am a anathesiologist
For the d pt of prisons. Hi I was nick named a El sal press pest.

[ninabasagic]

Sctzoeffe tive this is Angela J now talk to me