A paper published in the Lancet Oncology late last week reported on the findings of the Prospective study of Outcomes in Sporadic versus Hereditary breast cancer (POSH). This study assessed whether or not women age 18 – 40 who have already developed and are being treated for breast cancer, have a better or worse prognosis if they are a BRCA gene mutation carrier.
The POSH study does not assess whether a risk reducing mastectomy in BRCA mutation carriers without a cancer diagnosis is beneficial or not.
This research is relevant for young women who have been given a diagnosis of breast cancer, and are considering their treatment options. The research team looked at 2,733 women and found that their prognosis at the two, five and ten-year post-diagnosis marks was unaffected by the presence of a BRCA gene mutation, and mastectomies after a cancer diagnosis did not appear to affect the 10-year survival rates.
This essentially means that there is no rush to have a mastectomy upon diagnosis. Facing the removal of both breasts is an added trauma to an already horrific experience and this research clearly explains that it isn’t necessary straight away.
However, we must make sure that articles with a headline such as ‘Cancer survival unaffected by faulty gene’ aren’t misinterpreted. BRCA gene mutation carriers are still at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than those without a faulty gene. This research simply indicates that, once breast cancer is diagnosed, an immediate mastectomy seems to make no difference to long-term survival rates.
This important research helps young women diagnosed with breast cancer, who are making difficult decisions about treatment and surgery. It gives evidence that they don’t need to rush the decision of a mastectomy at this traumatic time, when they are already having to cope with the knowledge of having a genetic mutation and being diagnosed with cancer.
If you’d like any further information on BRCA gene mutations, or have any questions or issues and want to talk to a gynae nurse specialist, then please contact our Ask Eve service on 0808 802 0019 – which is free to call from landlines and mobile phones – or get in touch via email nurse@eveappeal.org.uk