Should we do an Angelina Jolie?

CEBU, Philippines - Breast friends: here’s a note from our anatomic clinical pathologist — Not everyone can stage an Angelina Jolie.

Dr. Jude Martin F. Cimafranca, in his presentation on “Breast Genetic Testing: Should I do an Angelina Jolie” last October 5 to mark the annual observance of Pink October via Pink Cancer Chat 2013, said that not all are advised to undergo genetic testing.

He cited a May 2013 issue of Time magazine featuring “The Angelina Effect” discussing on the merits of a genetic screening and the underlying issues of what was described to be an impetuous submission to a bilateral mastectomy. The Hollywood film star underwent double mastectomy to lessen her risks of breast cancer after tests showed the Breast Carcinoma-1 (BRCA-1) gene mutation that could lead possibly to breast-ovarian cancer syndrome which killed her mother, Marcheline Bertrandt. Her maternal aunt Debbie Martin succumbed to breast cancer less than two weeks after her test results came out.

“There are about 20,000 genes in us that determine who we are. Each person has about 50 trillion cells. Each cell has genes [in chromosomes] that determine the color of our skin, our height, our mental ability. Mao nang dunay puti, dunay itom, dunay brown, dunay putot, dunay tag-as, dunay bright, dunay average learner,” Dr. Cimafranca, who serves both Chong Hua Hospital and the Visayas Community Medical Center, pointed this out in his talk.

He mentioned that BRCA is otherwise referred to as the “human caretaker gene,” and that all of us have that in our body. “Such is responsible for repairing damaged DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid],” he continued. However, damage in the DNA increases the risk of cancer. “This is because damaged or mutated genes divide uncontrollably to form a tumor,” he stressed.

To support the presentation, Dr. Cimafranca used a National Cancer Research Institute finding citing that there’s a 55 to 65 percent chance of breast cancer cells developing among individuals at the age of 70 if they are tested of the BRCA-1 gene mutation; while there’s a 45-percent chance for breast cancer cells to develop for those 70 years old tested with BRCA-2. Such can happen to both men and women.

So, should one replicate an Angelina Jolie stance?

“Not all are advised to undergo genetic testing,” Cimafranca noted. “Aside from the technology not being available yet in the Philippines, the procedure is expensive. It costs around 4,000 dollars or 1,600 pounds. And even St. Luke’s [Medical Center-Manila], they serve as middleman only. They collect specimen, pero ipadala pa ni nila sa US for testing. The equipment is costly, as well as the reagent, maong wala pay ospital dinhi sa ato naka-afford ani,” he explained.

However, since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, a strengthened awareness drive on KPT or “Kinaugalingong Pagsuhid sa Totoy” was underscored during the Pink Cancer Chat. This is about making breast self-examination a habit as the first step to early screening and detection. It is advised that 20-year-old individuals should observe the KPT monthly to detect suspicious mass growth in areas around the breasts, discoloration, discharges, dimpling of skin, and other signs. For those in their 30s, KPT alone would not suffice anymore. They have to pair the practice up with a visit to the health center at least once a year. As for those in their 40s and beyond, they have to submit to a mammogram test at least once a year, aside from the KPT and the health center visit.

Ayala Center Cebu, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, ICanServe-Cebu Chapter, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine Obstetric and Gynecologic Surgeons, and the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente have forged ties to sustain the observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.