Mortality has always been on Perry Jones mind, much more so than your average 20-something. Shes dealt with a number of challenging health conditions since her teens, so when her mother urged her to be screened for the BRCA1 variant and BRCA2 variant gene a couple of years ago (both of which indicate a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer) she didnt exactly jump at the chance.
Jones, who has type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and spinal development issues, speaks about her dealings with the health system in the world-weary way of someone whos been in and out of waiting rooms her whole life.
Ive got the whole wazoo. So a part of me was like, Whats the likelihood that Im going to have another thing? Itll be fine. Theres no point.
But Jones mother insisted. After all, shed been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40. Mum said its better to know than not to know. And if we know, then we can warn others in our family and we can look into better treatment methods for ourselves in future.
Eventually, Jones agreed to take the saliva test. And then I forgot about it. So when I did get that phone call, to tell me I had the (BRCA1) gene, I was like, Oh, youve got to be kidding me.
Jones results have the potential to save her life, but they have also irrevocably informed the way she views and plans for her future, regardless of whether she ever receives an eventual diagnosis. As technological advancements and decreasing costs make testing accessible to broader swathes of the population, what does it mean to know the risk embedded within our DNA?
Last month, Monash University launched DNA Screen, offering 10,000 people aged 18 to 40 secure, free DNA testing to identify risk of cancer and heart disease that can be prevented or treated early.
The study is a chance to gauge the public appetite for preventive genetic testing (as opposed to the current status quo of clinical criteria-based testing) and could help Australia become the first country to offer preventive DNA screening through a public healthcare system.
The appetite from people in this age bracket was overwhelming. The DNA Screen team initially aimed to contact young people across social media to spread the word. Instead, without social media promotion, the website reached their target of registering 10,000 people to do the at-home saliva tests in 24 hours.
The interest is enormous, says Jane Tiller, co-lead of the project and ethical, legal and social adviser for Public Health Genomics at Monash.
DNA Screen, which is partly funded by the federal government, is attempting to pilot and demonstrate the value of population-level screening in an effort to provide greater access to genomics for everyone, similar to the mass bowel and breast cancer screening the government already funds for older Australians. Historically, the costs of genetic testing have been prohibitive, which meant it was only available to people with a family or personal history of disease, but up to 90% of people at high risk are not identified by current family history-based testing.
Although there are many genes that could be studied, the researchers picked 10 gene variants because the conditions they can lead to are medically actionable and there are already preventive measures for them hereditary ovarian and breast cancer, Lynch syndrome and familial hypercholesterolaemia (which increases the likelihood of having coronary heart disease at a younger age).
Those found to be at high risk after DNA testing expected to be about one in 75 will have their situation explained by experts and be offered genetic counselling and prevention measures, such as regular scans and check-ups. Given the stats, roughly 130 people from the study are likely to be found to be high risk. But what does it mean to scale up genetic screening and introduce mass preventive testing into any health system?
Bringing genetic screening into public health has huge promise if we use it wisely, says Prof Ainsley Newson, professor of bioethics at the University of Sydney. But there are questions to consider. For health problems where there isnt a good way to find and diagnose people, can genetics help? If a gene test exists, is it reliable in diverse populations? Does it only detect what we want to know, and nothing else? Is the health system ready to support those who are identified as at higher risk? Is there something people can do with the information it generates, and is there evidence that they will take that action?
Tiller and her co-leads have considered those same questions. If we were to test the whole of Australia tomorrow that would likely identify a number of people that may start to create a strain on a service that may not be resourced to deal with that many people, she says.
But we cant pretend that just not screening is the answer to protect the resources of the health system, because people who are at risk and develop cancer and need care will eventually need that system. And its far better to front-load your preventive care and keep people healthy and well.
The response for the DNA Screen study indicates there is widespread demand for this information beyond people such as Jones with family histories. It is powerful and heavy knowledge. Who seeks this information out?
Its a mix of people who are very big on preventive health who see that connection between finding out information now and being able to do something about it and then people who are just curious, says Tiller. Weve seen a huge increase in ancestry testing in recent years and people being interested to see whats in their genes.
Therell always be people who say, Im not interested in that. I would be too worried. I wouldnt want to know. And thats completely a personal choice.
Sign up to Guardian Australia's Morning Mail
Our Australian morning briefing email breaks down the key national and international stories of the day and why they matter
Communicating what the results could mean is a vital first step. Tiller says they want to ensure people understand that finding a gene is not a diagnosis of a condition and that not finding a gene doesnt mean they wont ever get cancer or heart disease.
This isnt about fear-mongering we really want to say to people, If you would like to know about this, this can empower you to take preventive steps for your own health.
So what does it mean for a young person to take on that information, to shape their hypothetical future with knowledge that wasnt available to any of us just a few years ago?
For the one in 75 people who are found to be high risk, it can of course be distressing, says Tiller. Theres a lot of support thats required in the initial stages of giving people that information, giving them space to perhaps feel some distress, to grieve over what that might mean for them and to support them through the next steps of decision-making.
Every person reacts differently to what their results could mean for them and their family. For Jones, her results have meant a cascading series of future choices and consequences, all of which are hypothetical at this stage.
Protective surgery such as a double mastectomy was initially suggested, which Jones has thus far resisted. She was also told that she should consider having her ovaries removed as soon as possible. So that changed my view of my timeline for starting a family.
Jones is also acutely aware she could pass the gene on to future children. Shes single and is studying a bachelor of design that she loves. Shed like to travel after graduation, maybe land an internship, meet someone nice.
But concurrently, at the age of 28, she has already weighed up scenarios such as freezing her eggs (shes opted not to thus far); considered what shed do if an embryo tested positive for the variant (she would abort), considered the financial implications of IVF (shed rather conceive naturally, especially given she needs to save a deposit for a house); weighed up how shell tell a future partner about her genetic risk (shed be upfront); and worried about menopause and what it means for removing her ovaries (Im actually more worried about that than the cancer at the moment to be honest). Those possibilities are a lot to deal with, she says. Shes banking on her future self, future and more mature Perry, to be able to handle them.
The knowledge she carries with her doesnt keep me up every night, but its definitely something ticking away in the back of my mind.
But despite all these considerations, Jones is grateful for the opportunity to be tested.
Having the test gave me a sense of control, even if I cant control whether or not I develop cancer. Im in control of knowing about it. I know the risks and I know what steps I can take to capture it as soon as possible if it develops.
Two years on from receiving her results, Jones is philosophical about living with what she knows. Shes much more vigilant and shes made peace with having to endure extra tests.
She also reminds herself that theres a chance that she may never be diagnosed. I guess I just accept that its part and parcel of the body that allows me to live. So whatever it comes with, Im just going to have to deal with. And as much as I dont like carrying these genes, its better to be alive and have them than not at all. So Im still thankful for this meat cage that contains my consciousness.
Excerpt from:
Ticking away in the back of my mind: what does it mean to know the risk embedded in your DNA? - The Guardian
- Seattle Genetics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year 2011 Financial Results [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Loss Narrows; But Stock Down - Update [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Highlights Updated Survival Data from ADCETRIS® Pivotal Trial in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory ... [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- A Growth-Free Quarter -- and That's OK [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics and Millennium Complete Enrollment in Phase III AETHERA Trial of ADCETRIS® for Post-Transplant ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- ORF Genetics to Offer endotoxin- and Animal-free FGFb and mLIF for Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- FAQ-4 of 19: What Chance That Stem Cells Will Help Me When I Get Stem Cell Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- FAQ-4 of 19: What Is My Chance of Success With Stem Cells in Stem Cell Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- FAQ-3 of 19 -How Do Stem Cells Work in Stem Cell Therapy? - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Stem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis Cosmetic Surgery Thailand Review - Urban Beauty Thailand - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- [RMS] C-Class Stem Cell Processing Center (SPC) - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- FAQ-4 19- What Chances for Stem Cell Success When I Get Stem Cell Therapy? - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- FAQ-4 19- What Chance Stem Cells Can Help Me After Stem Cell Therapy? - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Is stem cell therapy really effective? - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- STEM CELL THERAPY cure HIV patient - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® Receives European Commission Conditional Marketing Authorization [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Highlights ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Data in Relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma and Other CD30-Positive ... [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Highlights Data Presentations from Genentech ADC Collaborator Programs at ASH Annual Meeting [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Highlights Next Generation Antibody-Drug Conjugate SGN-CD33A at ASH Annual Meeting [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Clinical Data from NewLink Genetics' HyperAcute Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy Published in Journal of Immunotherapy [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Announces Data from Investigator-Sponsored Trials of ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) in Cutaneous T ... [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Reports Data from Phase I Trial of ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) in Front-line Hodgkin Lymphoma at ... [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics to test possible new Adcetris use [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- Myriad Genetics to Present at the 2013 J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2012]
- Data From SGEN on Cancer Candidate [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2013]
- Health Canada Approves ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma ... [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2013]
- Canada Approves Seattle Genetics' Adcetris [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2013]
- Canada Approves Seattle Genetics' Adcetris - Analyst Blog [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2013]
- ADC Data from Seattle Genetics [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2013]
- Genetics of alcoholism research [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2013]
- Genetics Policy Institute and univerCELLmarket to co-publish 360 – the Free Newsletter Covering Stem Cells and ... [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2013]
- Genetics Policy Institute and univerCELLmarket to co-publish 360 – the Free Newsletter Covering Stem Cells and ... [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2013]
- Genetics Policy Institute Opens Washington, D.C. Office [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2013]
- Seattle Genetics Announces Initiation of Phase 1/2 Trial of ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) in Combination with ... [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2013]
- Seattle Genetics Announces Initiation of Phase 1/2 Trial of ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) in Combination with ... [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2013]
- Takeda and Seattle Genetics Highlight Post-Hoc Analysis Examining Progression-free Survival with ADCETRIS® ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2013]
- Seattle Genetics Highlights ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Clinical Data at International Conference on Malignant ... [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2013]
- SGEN/Astellas to Co-Develop Another ADC [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2013]
- Life Stem Genetics is Pleased to Announce That It Has Completed the First $500,000 Private Placement of the Recently ... [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2013]
- Life Stem Genetics Strengthens Its Executive Advisory Board by Adding MBAs Matthew Sullivan and Shahab Bakhtyar [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2013] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2013]
- Seattle Genetics, Inc. Posts Record Adcetris Sales [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Inbreeding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2015]
- Genetics of Colorectal Cancer - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2015]
- Seattle Genetics: Advancing Antibody-Drug Conjugates for ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 18th, 2015]
- genetics | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2015]
- Genetics and Genetic Disorders and Diseases - WebMD [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Genetics - Biology [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Genetics: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Genetics of Skin Cancer - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2015]
- Genetics in Georgia | New Georgia Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2015]
- Faculty & Staff | Directory | Medical Partnership [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2015]
- Genetics | Learn Science at Scitable [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2015]
- Genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2015]
- Department of Genetics || University of Pennsylvania [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Genetics News - Genetics Science, Genetics Technology, Genetics [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Home > Genetics | Yale School of Medicine [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Ology Genetics - AMNH [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- About Genetics | Understanding Genetics [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Genetics | Article about genetics by The Free Dictionary [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Genetics - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Cell Size and Scale - Learn Genetics [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Genetics of Prostate Cancer (PDQ)Health Professional ... [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Genetics of Skin Cancer (PDQ)Health Professional Version ... [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Basic Genetics [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2016]
- genetics facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com ... [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- Genetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- How culture, passion and genetics are fueling a Nigerian takeover of US sports - CBS sports.com (blog) [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- After vote, Accelerated Genetics slated to merge - La Crosse Tribune [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- Autism genetics, explained | Spectrum | Autism Research News - Spectrum [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- The problematics of genetics and the Aryan issue - The Hindu [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- North American genetics take centre stage in Wicklow - Agriland [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Genetics may lie at the heart of crop yield limitation - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Research in genetics promises a long-term cure to diseases : Tony Mira, CEO at Ajuba International LLC - ETHealthworld.com [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- NewLink Genetics to Host Its Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results Conference Call on July 28, 2017 - GlobeNewswire (press release) [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Immunotherapy drug targets tumor's genetics instead of body part - Monroe Evening News [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Getting tumors tested for genetics is the latest theory to help drugs target cancer - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Konica Minolta, With Eye on Health Care, Nears Deal for US Genetics Firm - New York Times [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Memphis Researchers Planning Big Upgrades to Online Genetics Database - Memphis Daily News [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Mosaic (genetics) - Simple English Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Is There a Genetic Limit to Milk Production? - Dairy Herd Management [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2017]