New test shows breast cancer risk before it develops
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SEATTLE - Women already know they should do self-exams and have regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer, but some are using another method to detect their risk - before breast cancer develops.
The new method is a DNA test that tells women if they have an increased risk to develop breast cancer. And a handful of doctors in our area now offer it.
The test takes about a minute to perform.
Called "BREVAGen," it involves a quick swab of the inside of both cheeks - and a patient's DNA is ready for analysis.
One local physician, Dr. Lisa Steffensen, looks at seven different snips of DNA that are associated with an increased chance of developing breast cancer.
"It's almost like taking a peek-a-boo into your system and seeing where your pathway may lead and try to treat that before you have that disease show up," she says.
If a patient comes back positive, it does not mean she has breast cancer - nor does it mean she will definitely develop the disease. But it is an indication that preventative care could help.
"Hopefully they can be astute and do everything they can to prevent that from happening to them," says Dr. Steffensen. "They can have increased diagnostic tests; they can change their lifestyle."
Dr. Steffensen says some of her patients quit drinking or smoking and improved their diet.
She says with a positive result, some insurance companies will pay for MRIs on top of the standard mammogram.
In the past six months, she's had about 10 tests come back with reason for concern.
"This gives me information that can definitely prevent them from having illness. And quality of life is imperative," she says.
If insurance covers the BREVAGen test, there is still a $250 co-pay. If insurance won’t cover the test or a patient is uninsured, they can apply for a program that keeps their payment at $250.
Once patients have the cheek swab, results are back within about two weeks.
The new method is a DNA test that tells women if they have an increased risk to develop breast cancer. And a handful of doctors in our area now offer it.
The test takes about a minute to perform.
Called "BREVAGen," it involves a quick swab of the inside of both cheeks - and a patient's DNA is ready for analysis.
One local physician, Dr. Lisa Steffensen, looks at seven different snips of DNA that are associated with an increased chance of developing breast cancer.
"It's almost like taking a peek-a-boo into your system and seeing where your pathway may lead and try to treat that before you have that disease show up," she says.
If a patient comes back positive, it does not mean she has breast cancer - nor does it mean she will definitely develop the disease. But it is an indication that preventative care could help.
"Hopefully they can be astute and do everything they can to prevent that from happening to them," says Dr. Steffensen. "They can have increased diagnostic tests; they can change their lifestyle."
Dr. Steffensen says some of her patients quit drinking or smoking and improved their diet.
She says with a positive result, some insurance companies will pay for MRIs on top of the standard mammogram.
In the past six months, she's had about 10 tests come back with reason for concern.
"This gives me information that can definitely prevent them from having illness. And quality of life is imperative," she says.
If insurance covers the BREVAGen test, there is still a $250 co-pay. If insurance won’t cover the test or a patient is uninsured, they can apply for a program that keeps their payment at $250.
Once patients have the cheek swab, results are back within about two weeks.
Iâll call this progress and a step in the right direction. UW medical center had a similar test back a few years ago, but the cost as I recall was about $2,000 and not covered by any insurance.
Good news I hope. Let science and medicine continue to help us as a people.