The director of Genetics Counseling at Elizabeth Wende Breast Cancer Center, Jessica Salamone has seen genetic testings change and save lives.
But she adds that the said breast cancer genes are much wider than that and have more applications as well. The guidelines in the Journal of Clinical Oncology about who should get genetic testing dates back decades from now. Back then the focus was on two well-known breast cancer gene mutations. However, today the story is different with dozens of other genes associated with breast cancer.
The outdated guidelines miss out a number of women who have these genetic mutations are thereby at high risk for cancers moving forward.
“There are genes for colon, uterine, ovarian, skin, and pancreatic. And there are more things we can be doing for those patients moving forward, in terms of screening and when to begin." Salamone said.
Due to this, patients who could benefit from these tests don’t know they exist. Or, if they do, insurance won’t necessarily cover them.
The reduced prices of these genetic testings have gotten cheaper which has proven to be a good way to support patients that desire to move forward, Salamone added.To conclude, she said, “But I think what is going to happen is the guidelines around insurance coverage need to widen and more patients need to have access. I do think that something will change, I don't know how quickly but I do.”
