Melbourne researchers are leading the world’s first DNA screening program, which they say detects genetic mutations before they turn into cancer.
We hope that the lives of young people Australians will be saved by the world’s first study.
For Chaya Goldman, a woman from Melbourne, early detection of her cancer saved her life.
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Goldman was just 26 when a test showed she had a variant BRCA2 gene, meaning she was at significant risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
She had no family history.
“You never really think it’s you,” Goldman said.
Early detection meant she had options and might undergo regular screening and even preventative surgeries.
“It gave me time to think regarding it without having to make drastic decisions right away,” she said.
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That’s why Monash University researchers want more Australians to have access to testing.
They are currently recruiting 10,000 people between the ages of 18 and 40 to take a home saliva test.
The test is free and involves placing a saliva sample in a tube received by post and returned in a stamped envelope.
People considered to be at high risk receive genetic counseling on next steps for prevention.
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Jane Tiller, co-manager of Monash University’s DNA screening program, said eligible enrollees would be made fully aware of potential results before committing.
“We’ve worked hard to design an innovative and informative online consent process that helps people understand the test they’re having and the information they may receive,” she said.
“We expect to identify approximately one in 75 people at high risk for these diseases.
“People at high risk won’t necessarily get the disease, but identifying risk before symptoms appear allows prevention through regular checkups, medication or risk-reducing surgery. It might save their lives.”
“If successful, this approach might dramatically improve access to large-scale genetic testing and save countless lives in a variety of conditions.”
Researchers hope that this type of screening will one day be funded by the government so that everyone can ultimately save more lives.
“It’s easier to have a yearly MRI than to get cancer,” Goldman said.
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