Ethical Issue Presentation:

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing

By Bri Falatovich, Taylor Fusco, and Patrick Wu
Vignette (Recap)
● Lisa and Tonya
● Simple blood test for BRCA1/2 mutations
● Tonya’s mom:
○ 45
○ Early diagnosis
○ Fully recovered
● Lisa’s mom:
○ 45
○ metastasized (late diagnosis)
○ Eventual death
 ● Average woman=12% lifetime risk

● BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

significantly increases risk to
38-87% (Petrucelli et al., 1993)

● Including other cancers such as

ovarian and pancreatic (BRCA gene
Background test for breast and ovarian cancer
risk—Mayo Clinic, n.d.)
BRCA1 & BRCA2 ● Family history increases risk.

● Early detection, greater chance for

survival
 ● Recommended for specific
groups of people (Genetic
Counseling and Testing for
Breast Cancer Risk, n.d.)

Genetic Testing ● Simple blood test

● Three possible results: positive,
negative, or indecisive.
○ (BRCA gene test for breast
and ovarian cancer
risk—Mayo Clinic, n.d.)
Discussion Points:
● If Tonya or Lisa decide to go ahead and have a genetic
test, but no mutation is found, can they safely assume
that this is NO chance that they will ever develop
breast cancer?
Discussion Points:
● What scientific, medical, and societal information
should each consider before deciding whether or not to
take the gene test?
Genetic Testing and Catholic Social Teaching
The Principle of Respect for Human Life The Principle of Human Equality

● Gene testing increases survival rates ● Equality of having the knowledge of the
presence of mutation
References
BRCA gene test for breast and ovarian cancer risk—Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2020, from

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brca-gene-test/about/pac-20384815http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK124

7/

"Genetic counseling for women with an intermediate family history of breast cancer"Burke W., Culver J.O., Bowen D., Lowry D., Durfy

S., McTiernan A., Andersen M.R. Am J Med Genet.90(5):361-8, 2000

Learn About Genetic Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations at Susan G. Komen®. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2020, from

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/GeneMutationsampGeneticTesting.html

Petrucelli, N., Daly, M. B., & Pal, T. (1993). BRCA1- and BRCA2-Associated Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. In M. P. Adam, H.

H. Ardinger, R. A. Pagon, S. E. Wallace, L. J. Bean, K. Stephens, & A. Amemiya (Eds.), GeneReviews®. University of

Washington, Seattle. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1247/