TalkBreast Cancer: Privacy, Prevention & Insurance
Breast Cancer Chronicles’ has recent posts on preventive options and insurance considerations for women who carry a genetic risk for breast cancer (a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation).
“For women who are genetically positive, that is, who carry a gene that increases their risk of developing breast cancer, it’s important to take aggressive action to reduce your risk of following in your family member’s footsteps - or, as I like to say, of wearing her bra.”
Elissa, our clinical director, adds: Choosing to learn whether or not you’re a BRCA carrier is a very personal decision. If you are a carrier, the preventive choices you take are also very personal. As many of you may know, these decisions involve different things for different women - from sense of self, body, sexuality, youth, mortality, empowerment, fear, control, guilt and much more. In short, no decision surrounding BRCA is simple. Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals who can help women (and men) consider whether testing is right for them - weighing the pros and cons of testing, evaluating preventive options, and discussing implications for family members.
I like Lillie Shockney’s suggestion for handling the privacy/insurance issue, and think it is one that I will use if my mother tests positive:
“At $3400, it’s an expensive test. Some women pay out of pocket for the test up front. If the result is negative, they then seek reimbursement from the insurance company; if it’s positive, they never tell.”
Read more about who is at risk for BRCA1-2 mutations.
Technorati Tags: breast cancer, BRCA1, BRCA2, prevention, insurance, family risk, pros and cons
