What to Know About Your Ovarian Cancer Genes

Most of the time, ovarian cancer happens randomly. Genetic changes occur spontaneously within cells that make them turn cancerous. But a smaller percentage of women with ovarian cancer have inherited a genetic predisposition that make them more likely to develop this cancer. Testing for these inherited gene changes can help better target the treatment women receive, and inform the health decisions their family members make.

The most important thing for a woman whos been newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer or tubal cancer to know is that its very important to get genetic testing, because almost 25% of women who have a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer will be found to have a genetic mutation, explains Dr. Karen Zempolich, gynecologic oncologist at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Many women have heard of BRCA mutations, Dr. Zempolich says. Normally, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes protect you against cancer by helping your cells repair broken DNA that can turn the cells cancerous. But when these genes are changed, or mutated, cells can no longer fix themselves.

People who inherit the BRCA gene mutations are more likely to get not only ovarian cancer, but also breast cancer. There are also many other genes that contribute to ovarian cancer, which genetic testing can reveal. Getting tested can also help your doctor make more informed decisions about your treatment.

Learning that you have a genetic mutation is not only important for determining your risk of ovarian and breast cancers, but it also gives your doctor the chance to use a whole new set of medicines against ovarian cancer that could improve your survival, Dr. Zempolich says.

Normally when a strand of DNA is damaged, enzymes called PARPs rush in to fix the damage. New medicines called PARP inhibitors help counteract that protective mechanism, she says. Cancer cells cant finish the repair process, so they stop growing and spreading.

PARP inhibitor drugs work best in women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, because the cancer cells are already at a loss to repair themselves. Taking PARP inhibitors can extend the time before a womans cancer comes back, and possibly prolong her survival.

If a woman has a BRCA or other gene mutation, there may be a good chance that her family members carry it too, since these mutations are inherited. Families with BRCA mutations and multiple cases of ovarian and/or breast cancers are said to have a cancer predisposition syndrome called Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC).

Knowing their genetic status can inform important health decisions for everyone in the family. Women who test positive for genes linked to ovarian cancer may want to consider having prophylactic surgery, removing their ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent cancer from developing in the future.

Its important for men to also consider their genetic risks. The gene mutations that are linked to ovarian cancer also increase the risk for breast cancer (which men can get too), as well as for colon cancer, melanoma, and upper GI tract cancers, Dr. Zempolich says.

Once youve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your doctor will likely send you for genetic testing. Most insurance companies should cover the cost, Dr. Zempolich says.

If your doctor isnt sure whether you have a familial ovarian cancer syndrome, you can meet with a genetic counselor to determine what, if any, testing you need. The counselor can help you decide whether or not thats an important part of your journey with this cancer, she adds.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Karen Zempolich is a gynecologic oncologist at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She specializesin complex pelvic and oncologic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and fertility-sparing treatment of early gynecologic cancers. Read More

The most important thing for a woman whos been newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer or tubal cancer to know is that its very important to get genetic testing, because almost 25% of women who have a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer will be found to have a genetic mutation, explains Dr. Karen Zempolich, gynecologic oncologist at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City.

People who inherit the BRCA gene mutations are more likely to get not only ovarian cancer, but also breast cancer. There are also many other genes that contribute to ovarian cancer, which genetic testing can reveal. Getting tested can also help your doctor make more informed decisions about your treatment.

Learning that you have a genetic mutation is not only important for determining your risk of ovarian and breast cancers, but it also gives your doctor the chance to use a whole new set of medicines against ovarian cancer that could improve your survival, Dr. Zempolich says.

Normally when a strand of DNA is damaged, enzymes called PARPs rush in to fix the damage. New medicines called PARP inhibitors help counteract that protective mechanism, she says. Cancer cells cant finish the repair process, so they stop growing and spreading.

PARP inhibitor drugs work best in women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, because the cancer cells are already at a loss to repair themselves. Taking PARP inhibitors can extend the time before a womans cancer comes back, and possibly prolong her survival.

If a woman has a BRCA or other gene mutation, there may be a good chance that her family members carry it too, since these mutations are inherited. Families with BRCA mutations and multiple cases of ovarian and/or breast cancers are said to have a cancer predisposition syndrome called Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC).

Knowing their genetic status can inform important health decisions for everyone in the family. Women who test positive for genes linked to ovarian cancer may want to consider having prophylactic surgery, removing their ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent cancer from developing in the future.

Its important for men to also consider their genetic risks. The gene mutations that are linked to ovarian cancer also increase the risk for breast cancer (which men can get too), as well as for colon cancer, melanoma, and upper GI tract cancers, Dr. Zempolich says.

Once youve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your doctor will likely send you for genetic testing. Most insurance companies should cover the cost, Dr. Zempolich says.

If your doctor isnt sure whether you have a familial ovarian cancer syndrome, you can meet with a genetic counselor to determine what, if any, testing you need. The counselor can help you decide whether or not thats an important part of your journey with this cancer, she adds.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Karen Zempolich is a gynecologic oncologist at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She specializesin complex pelvic and oncologic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and fertility-sparing treatment of early gynecologic cancers. Read More

Here is the original post:
How Genes Can Shape A Womans Ovarian Cancer Care, And Her Familys Medical Decisions - SurvivorNet

Comments are closed.