Breast-cancer gene testing: not worth the money?
At-home genetic testing for a lot of diseases and disorders (and for genealogy hobbyists) is a growing industry. Via Al Tompkins at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies comes this essay by noted medical ethicist Art Caplan that says breast-cancer gene testing simply isn't ready for prime time.
For one thing, only about 10 percent of the 200,000 new cases of breast cancer that are detected annually appear to have any sort of connection to the specific gene the test looks for. And among women with no family history of the disease, Caplan says, only about 1 in 100 would benefit from an accurate test. And speaking of accuracy, there's simply not enough information to determine whether these tests are accurate, let alone any sort of gauge on how the combination of genetics and lifestyle might combine to make a woman more or less likely to develop breast cancer.
On top of that, the tests cost from $1,600 up to about $3,000 -- and some of that money is going toward a heavy marketing push. Caplan thinks most women ought to resist the hype. Better is for women with a close family history of the disease -- two or more parents, grandparents or sibling with the disease -- to consult closely with their doctors about the need for any genetic testing, plus lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk.
There may someday be a reliable test to gauge a woman's chances of developing breast cancer. But Caplan says that day is not here yet.
UPDATE: Illinois Medicaid thinks that day is here and has begun paying for the testing.
