Australians not taking advantage of cancer tests

One of the biggest advances in medical technology has been the ability to find out whether someone is likely to develop cancer if it runs in their family.

The mapping of the human genome has meant in many cases doctors can detect whether an individual has the genes that make it more likely they will develop cancer.

With that knowledge, regular testing would show up the onset of the disease at an early stage when it’s easiest to deal with.

Nevertheless a new study shows most Australians do not want to know.

“What we have found is that 60% of the relatives we’ve contacted do not take up the opportunity for further info on genetic risk in their family and what they can do about it,” cancer geneticist Dr Graeme Suthers said.

Each year, 5,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancers that could have been picked up early or even prevented through genetic testing. The most common forms include some types of breast, ovarian and bowel cancer.

“Familial cancer is serious, it is scary but the diagnosis of familial cancer is a golden opportunity to reduce the burden of cancer in that family,” Dr Suthers said.

Doctors say the next step is to find out why so many people do not want the tests and what can be done to turn that around.