Today’s news could make a massive difference for some women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Olaparib, one of the targeted treatments known as PARP inhibitors, has now been approved as a first line treatment in England.
Clinical trial results have been really promising, with 60% of the women on Olaparib having three years before progression of their disease. That is three extra years not just living but living with a high quality of life.
Olaparib works by inhibiting the protein PARP, that helps repair damaged cancer cells, especially in women who carry a mutated BRCA gene, causing cancer cell death.
Women who have a BRCA gene mutation are at a higher risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. It is estimated that up to 15% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a BRCA mutation.
Women are generally offered BRCA testing during their treatment pathway, it is now clear that the test should be offered at the point of diagnosis to enable doctors to better plan treatment choices with their patients.
Following on from pioneering work by NHS England in the 100k genomes project, it is envisaged that all women will be offered BRCA testing during their treatment planning. It is likely that we will be able to test a patient’s tumour (somatic) before we test blood (germline). This will enable treatment planning straight away whilst giving the woman and her family time to think about taking the germline blood test and its implications.
Current stats from Ovarian Cancer Action estimate only 30% of women get BRCA testing at diagnosis. The news today really highlights the importance of bringing genetic testing into the diagnostic work up for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer; generation genome is happening now. We need to have the right test at the right time… and today this means BRCA testing at diagnosis.
Tracie has worked with NHS over the past 3 years recruiting women with ovarian cancer to the 100K genomes project in addition to her Clinical Nurse Specialist role in Gynaecology, a Legacy Genomics Practitioner, and counsels and consents her patients with ovarian cancer for BRCA testing. If you have any concerns about your cancer risk or questions about genetic counselling you can chat to Tracie on our Ask Eve service at nurse@eveappeal.org.uk, 0808 802 0019.