The Genome Book: A Must-Have Guide to Your DNA for Maximum Health
The Genome Book: A Must-Have Guide to Your DNA for Maximum Health
If you re not a scientist or genetics professional, the whole concept of genomic medicine may sound a lot like science fiction. In The Genome Book: A Must-Have Guide to Your DNA for Maximum Health, author April Lynch brings you a thorough but easy-to-understand explanation of the growing medical benefits provided by the decoding of the human genome. She discusses DNA’ s role in nutrition, cancer, blood and heart conditions, and even behavior, and gives an overview of genetic testing and genomic
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Genetic Testing Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer
Genetic Testing Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is still one of the leading cancers among men, and it is projected that roughly one in every six American men will be diagnosed with this type of cancer within their lifetime.
Add to that the fact that these statistics may not account for those that have not been diagnosed, and you have a full fledged “epidemic”, if you look at it from a percentage of population standpoint. In fact, many people reading this probably know someone that has been diagnosed with this cancer, or may have even had a brush with it themselves.
Aside from the fact that it is a leading cancer form in men, it also is considered in males to be a second leading cause of death. It’s no wonder that prostate cancer is at the forefront of men’s health and prevention in medical research when it comes to prevention, detection and treatment.
Researchers have been hard at work to come up with alternative testing to the still most popular form of testing, the PSA test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, which is an enzyme that is released by this male-specific gland, which tends to be released in much higher amounts when the gland is inflamed or enlarged, or is fighting cancer.
It is a test combined with a digital rectal exam, that many men find uncomfortable for obvious reasons, and may want to naturally avoid after they reach the age of fifty years old. This is the age when doctors recommend their male patients start getting this test, since after fifty years old the risk of getting this cancer increases significantly.
The PSA test itself is actually a simple blood test, and has been criticized for sometimes being unreliable and creating false positives and false negatives, hence the search for better screening methods. The screening method that is being worked on currently is one that may be more spot-on than the current mode of detection via rectal exam combined with the PSA test.
It is the new buzzword in the scientific community for a variety of diseases and cancer in the world of detection : genetic testing. Genetic testing has proven to be a very promising method of finding cancer markers in individuals because it can be more detailed in it’s individual assessment, and finding genes responsible for cancers and other diseases is pretty much a fool proof method of detecting likelihood of cancer or actual cancer itself.
While genetic testing can definitely help either to rule out prostate cancer or to give the doctor and patient a pretty good idea if further prevention or treatment should take place, it cannot as of yet be used in and of itself as a test, but instead is a stepping stone to determining the validity of PSA screenings and digital rectal exams.
It’s basically giving a more complete answer as to whether tests that are done are actually an accurate predictor of whether a patient has it, and whether treatment should be commenced. Many doctors and patients feel that with a more complete and definitive answer in testing, they feel more comfortable with diagnosis and prevention testing, and more confident that they are getting the correct results. This renewed confidence could lead more men to take part in prevention and detection screening.
Currently the largest studies in genetic testing for prostate cancer are being carried out in Sweden, and are looking promising, but as of yet they are not conclusive and the method needs more defining and sharpening.
One thing is for sure, that genetic testing is proving to be an up and coming tool in the definitive and more accurate detection of many different kinds of cancers, including breast cancer in women. With continued research and refining, genetic testing may prove to be of great benefit for men in the prevention of prostate cancer advancement.
Danna Schneider has contributed to and edits the popular male sexual health website Prosolution Pill Reviews dedicated to natural male enhancement. She also manages the online herbal male enhancement news magazine and alternative health portal called Male Enhancement and Men’s Health Magazine.
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
GENETIC TESTING FOR BREAST CANCER-BRCA1 and BRCA2
If you are concerned about familial breast cancer, the first step is to talk things over with your GP or Genetic Counsellor.
You will be asked about your family history and ethnic background, as well as any blood relatives, on either side of your family, who have had breast or related cancers.
If a faulty breast cancer gene has already been identified in a family member, you may be referred directly to a specialist genetic service.
Once your GP or Genetic Counsellor has taken a full family history, your risk of developing breast cancer can be assessed.
Most women will be at no greater risk than any other woman.
If this is the case your counsellor should discuss this with you and provide you with some written information on being breast aware and lifestyle risks.
However, if you develop any breast changes or if your family history or circumstances alter, it is important to go back and see your GP.
An increased risk
A small number of women may be viewed as having a greater risk of developing breast cancer on the grounds of a strong family history.
If this applies to you, you will be classified as having one of the following:
a moderate risk
a high risk.
You will then be referred to either a family history clinic or a specialist in cancer genetics. The type of care you receive will be depending on your risk level.
Screening
Depending on your age, you may be offered a mammogram.
Women between the ages of 40 and 49 will normally be offered annual mammograms.
However, it is currently unclear how effective mammograms are in detecting breast cancer early in women at increased risk – clinical studies are currently researching this issue.
Because of this, women aged 30 to 39 will be offered mammograms only as part of a research study rather than as a matter of routine.
Women under the age of 30 are unlikely to be offered mammograms, as younger women’s breast tissue is too dense to produce a clear mammogram picture.
Genetic counselling
If you are considered to be at high risk of developing breast cancer you will be offered specialist genetic counselling.
This will give you more information about your family history, how your lifestyle may affect you, what having a genetic test means, and the options available to you if you choose to go ahead with the test.
You may feel anxious about finding out about your risk of developing breast cancer, but remember that your counsellor is trained to deal with these issues.
Testing
The test (Screening of BRCA1 and BRCA2) is done by Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences, Dubai on a blood sample from a living relative who has already developed breast or ovarian cancer.
The results can take many months to complete, as it is technically very difficult to identify the faulty gene.
If it is found that you do carry the faulty gene, although you will not necessarily develop breast cancer, you do have a higher risk of doing so.
In Ashkenazi Jewish women, specialists already know that there are three specific gene faults in a large proportion of the families where breast and ovarian cancer is common.
This means that testing may be offered to relatives at high risk without needing to carry out the gene search.
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