Angelina Jolie's health announcement last year has sparked an increase in women being tested
Angelina Jolie’s preventative double mastectomy has helped in doubling the number of women in the UK being tested for breast cancer, researchers have found.
A new study shows that in June and July last year the number of GP referrals for genetic counselling and DNA tests for breast cancer mutations in the UK increased two-and-a-half times compared with the same period in 2012.
The rise in referrals did not only spike after her announcement, but continued through to October long after her announcement was made, according to research published in Breast Cancer Research journal.
Gareth Evans, professor of clinical genetics at Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention, says: "Angelina Jolie stating she has a BRCA1 mutation and going on to have a risk-reducing mastectomy is likely to have had a bigger impact than other celebrity announcements, possibly due to her image as a glamorous and strong woman.
“This may have lessened patients' fears about a loss of sexual identity post-preventative surgery and encouraged those who had not previously engaged with health services to consider genetic testing.”
BRCA1 mutation is inherited from a parent, and is the cause of at least ten per cent of breast cancers. Women who have the BRCA1 gene mutation have between 45 per cent and 90 per cent risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
New research based on data from 21 centers shows that many more women approached their GPs with concerns. Far from these being women with unfounded concerns, it was women with a family history of breast cancer, which translated into appropriate referrals for testing.
Clinical guidance in the UK, which was published not long after Angelina Jolie made her announcement last year, recommends that only women who are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer should be referred for genetic testing at a family history clinic or a regional genetics center.
Gareth Evans, professor of clinical genetics at Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention, says: "Although there was concern that the increase in attendance following Ms Jolie's announcement might have been from the 'worried well' coming back for an early repeat screen, our research found that the opposite was true. A higher proportion was from women who were late for their test, rather than those who were coming back early."
The researchers believe that Angelina Jolie's announcement has made people more aware of the risk of a family history of cancer and risk-reducing strategies that can be taken. They think that more work should be done to improve awareness and access to family cancer services.
Gareth Evans says: "These high-profile cases often mean that more women are inclined to contact centers such as Genesis – and other family history clinics – so that they can be tested for the mutation early and take the necessary steps to prevent themselves from developing the disease.
"Of course, in some cases this may mean a risk-reducing mastectomy, however cancer preventing drugs, such as tamoxifen, and certain lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and more exercise, are also options which many women may consider."
Sally Greenbrook, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “We have heard anecdotally that referrals to family history and genetics services had increased since Angelina Jolie’s announcement but it’s interesting to see evidence to support this. We’re also encouraged to learn that women with a family history of breast cancer are recognising that they may be at increased risk of developing the disease and taking a proactive approach to their health.
“It’s important to remember however that only one in five breast cancer cases are linked to having a family history of the disease, and faults in known breast cancer genes are very rare. This is why genetic testing is only offered to those considered to be at higher risk following a family history assessment.
“We know that some family history services currently struggle to meet demand. It’s important that NHS services have enough resource to meet this increased demand."
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