Life Expectancy Gains From Cancer Prevention Strategies for Women With Breast Cancer and BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutations

Article Abstract:

Strategies to prevent a second cancer in women with BRCA1- or BRCA2-associated breast cancer may prolong their life. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes which, when mutated, increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Preventive strategies include removing the remaining breast or ovary, or taking the drug tamoxifen. Researchers used hypothetical model to estimate the years of life expectancy added if these strategies are used. Tamoxifen would add 0.4 to 1.3 years, removing the remaining ovary would add 0.2 to 1.8 years, and removing the remaining breast would add 0.6 to 2.1 years. Women with high-penetrance mutations would benefit the most.

Ovarian cancer

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Decision analysis - effects of prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy on life expectancy among women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations

Article Abstract:

Prophylactic mastectomy may prolong life significantly in young women who have a mutation in the BRCA genes. These mutations increase a woman's risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer and some physicians recommend a mastectomy to prevent the development of breast cancer. Researchers used decision analysis to determine the effect of a prophylactic mastectomy on life expectancy. In 30-year-old women with a BRCA mutation, mastectomy would prolong life by 3 to 5 years. In 60-year-old women with the mutation, mastectomy would be of little benefit. Removing a woman's ovaries would also have little benefit at any age.

Analysis, Gene mutations, Gene mutation, Mastectomy

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Benefits of Colonoscopic Surveillance and Prophylactic Colectomy in Patients with Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Mutations

Article Abstract:

Regular colonoscopy can increase life expectancy in people who have a gene mutation linked to colorectal cancer. During colonoscopy, an optical instrument attached to a long tube is inserted into the rectum and colon. In a study of patients with this mutation, regular colonoscopy increased life expectancy for up to 13 years. If the patient was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, surgical removal of the cancerous part of the colon also increased life expectancy significantly in young patients but less so in older patients.

Evaluation, Medical examination, Colonoscopy, Colon (Anatomy), Colon

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