BRCA1 BRCA2 and the MRI Exam

BRCA1 BRCA2 and the MRI Exam go hand in hand if you have any family history of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 (pronounced “brakka1″ and “brakka2″) genes are hereditary indicators belonging to tumor suppressors.  These genes can mutate and become known as hereditary breast or ovarian cancer.

BRCA1 BRCA2 and the MRI Exam:

A woman’s (or man’s) risk for developing breast cancers at an early stage ( pre-menopause) increases with age if they present with this gene, which can be done by a blood test. Harmful mutations of BRCA1 can also lead to cervical, uterine, pancreatic or colon cancer in women and breast, pancreatic, testicular, or prostate cancer for men. BRCA2 can develop into stomach cancer, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

According to the National Institutes of Health estimates, 12 percent of women (120 in 1000) will develop breast cancer in their lifetime compared to 60 percent (600 out of 1000) who inherit the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which is a 5X risk increase for developing a breast cancer.

Lifetime risk estimates for ovarian cancer among women in the general population indicate that 1.4 percent (14 out of 1,000) will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer compared with 15 to 40 percent of women (150–400 out of 1,000) who have a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

The choice for surgery called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is an option for those who test positive with the gene as are removal of the ovaries as a preventive measure.

BRCA1, BRCA2 and the MRI Exam go hand in hand for breast cancer early detection if you have any family history of breast cancer.

Early detection with mammography, clinical breast examinations and MRI dynamic breast studies are screening surveillance tools currently utilized. Most insurance companies are including BRCA1 and BRCA2 as viable reasons for full reimbursement. (Double check with your own insurance company first.)  Early detection leads to longer lives.

For questions about insurance reimbursement from your insurance company, call them, and ask the questions. Do not let them define the level of care they can give you.  Find out what the reimbursement levels are for in each history category…such as questionable mammogram diagnosis, family history of breast cancer, and gene testing.

While many patients are concerned about their privacy, I have heard on occasion where women have registered as Jane Doe, not reported their SSN, paid cash for the MRI exam (to avoid insurance database linking.) Despite privacy laws and HIPPA, once your name and information hit the insurance databases, there is little you can do to ever remove it. While genetic discrimination is “against the law”,  that does not mean it will not happen. Go to Sections 14 & 15 HERE to read more on this delicate subject.

For the full list of information about BRCA1 and BRCA2 click HERE

To see the story in WIRED Magazine about BRCA1 healthy choices featuring Fighter-Survivor Teri Smieja, click HERE.

To read Teri Smieja’s BLOG about being a BRCA1 survivor and warrior, click HERE.