How is genetic testing creating a cure for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer?
Breast and ovarian cancers are growing rapidly among women despite the age factor. Moreover, even doctors couldn’t figure out the exact time of the beginning of such cancers, which means that it couldn’t be defined how long it took to get to the size it is now.
However, the healthcare industry is focusing more on the cure for breast and ovarian cancer among women. Genetic testing is an efficient method of gauging the chances of getting breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1), breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), and ovarian cancer.
Genetic testing has various applications in healthcare. Genetic testing provides information about deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the changes it undergoes with respect to mutations.
This article discusses the applications of genetic testing in breast and ovarian cancer.
What are breast and ovarian cancers?
When the cells in the breast area grow and divide (mutate) in an uncontrolled way, it creates a mass of tissue called a tumor which leads to breast cancer. Common signs of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, which increases in size along with the skin texture of the affected area.
It is one of the most common cancers among women, which can occur at any age but is most likely to affect women over the age of 50. The basic stages of breast cancer are five, which include,
Stage 0- Non-invasive
Stage 1- Nearby breast tissues having cancer cells
Stage 2- Tumor in a smaller stage, which is lesser than 2 centimeters across underarm lymph nodes
Stage 3- Distant organs, along with invaded nearby tissues and lymph nodes, affected
Stage 4- Cancer spreading to areas away from the breasts, such as one’s bones, liver, lungs, or brain
Moving forward, the growth of extra cells that forms in the ovaries results in ovarian cancer through mutation. These cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissues as they mutate quite quickly.
Some common signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal bloating or swelling, weight loss, discomfort in the pelvic area, fatigue, back pain, and changes in bowel habits, such as constipation.
Why is genetic testing required in breast and ovarian cancer?
Genetic testing detects cell mutations in several genes at the same time, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes usually protect from developing breast or ovarian cancers. However, variants in them can restrict their function, which leads to the development of tumors or cancer.
However, it is estimated that women diagnosed with the BRCA1 variant have around a 40% chance, and those with BRCA 2 variant have about a 15% of chances to get ovarian cancer by the time they’re 70–80 years old.
Thus, genetic testing is an option to consider in specific conditions such as:
- If diagnosed with ovarian cancer
- If genetically related to someone with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
- If Lynch syndrome is inherited, which creates a likable scenario for the person to have a 9% to 12% chance of getting ovarian cancer lifetime
With the growing awareness about the role of hereditary genetic testing and identifying susceptible individuals, patients are trusting and opting for hereditary genetic testing for cancer detection and further treatment methods.
Moreover, the hereditary genetic testing market appears to be highly dynamic in the U.S. as various companies are focusing on the adoption of advanced technologies to meet the demand of processing large data with genetic testing.
According to a report by BIS Research, the U.S. hereditary genetic testing market was valued at $7.57 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $29.28 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 13.09%.
Find more details on this report in this FREE sample.
Along with this, the growth in the U.S. hereditary genetic testing market is expected to witness high demand for early and preventive care with increasing prevalence related to various cancers such as breast and ovarian.
Managing the Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer through Genetic Testing
BRCA1 or 2 pathogenic variants can be easily screened for cancer through genetic testing to reduce your risk of developing cancer. Genetic testing allows more frequent screening for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, along with critical diagnosis and feasible treatment options.
Various developments have been observed in the genetic testing market to meet the growing demand for cancer detection and treatment.
Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer includes DNA packaged into structures called chromosomes. Some tests, such as karyotype and chromosomal microarrays, detect changes in chromosomes rather than gene changes for cancer cell detection.
Gene expression test compares levels between normal cells and diseased cells, as differentiation is usually required in chemotherapy to provide important information for the treatment of cancer.
Thus, genetic testing is certainly considered one of the most trusted methods in cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Genetic testing is a highly dynamic ecosystem, with continuous technological advancements and growing awareness about the role of hereditary genetic testing in critically identifying individuals at risk.
Moreover, the growing prevalence of cancer indications and the associated implication of the disease is expected to increase the demand for genetic testing in the healthcare industry.
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