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WSU poised to pour WENDY WAHMAN ILLUSTRATION
THE GENETIC DILEMMA
By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
A leading UW researcher says all women should get a DNA test to screen for breast cancer; critics say the results still offer no easy answers Herald Writer
EVERETT — isty Latta’s mother was 28 years old when she died from breast and ovarian cancer. “All the women on my mom’s side of the family have died of cancer,” she said. “My little sister and I are the only ones alive.” About five years ago, following the birth of her son, Javen, Latta’s sister told her about a test that would determine if she had a mutation in a gene called BRCA1. It greatly increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Latta tested positive. Her sister did not. With her family history of cancer, Latta thought she had only one choice to avoid repeating it: having a double mastectomy and total hysterectomy. “I just wanted to live and be there for my son,” she said. Last month, Mary-Claire King, a renowned University of Washington geneticist who discovered the BRCA1 gene’s ties to breast cancer, said the time has passed when genetic testing is only provided to women like Latta with a strong family history of breast cancer.
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Instead, King said, starting at about age 30, all women should be tested for the gene, as well as BRCA2, another gene linked to breast cancer. King was recently awarded one of the nation’s most prestigious awards in medical science — a special achievement award from New York City’s Lasker Foundation. She used Mary-Claire her time in the national King spotlight to promote an idea that was controversial nearly from the moment she announced it. Many women don’t know they have the BRCA gene mutation until after they’ve been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, King wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That’s because family members haven’t had similar diagnoses. Identifying women with the genetic defect only after she develops cancer “is a failure of cancer prevention,” she said. Women with the BRCA1 mutation have a 60 percent risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer by age 60 and an 83 percent risk by age 80, she wrote. Testing could
identify up to 415,000 women in the U.S. for whom breast and ovarian cancer is highly likely and potentially preventable, King said. The widespread genetic testing advocated by King would involve millions of women. If it happens, it would be the first time genetic testing is used in the U.S. with such a large group of people, said Dr. Kathleen Leppig, a Group Health geneticist. Joy Varady, who runs the genetic risk assessment program at Providence Regional Cancer Partnership in Everett, said widespread testing for the BRCA1 and 2 genes would be “wonderful preventative medicine.” The costs of treating one ovarian cancer patient can hit more than $200,000, she said. Testing could give women the chance to decide whether they want to take steps to avoid breast and ovarian cancer. “We’re missing so many people,” Varady said.
From the headlines The topic of genetic testing leapt from the pages of staid medical journals to the cover of “Us” magazine last year courtesy of Angelina Jolie. See DILEMMA, Page A4
About the BRCA test ■ What is the BRCA test? Genetic testing can detect if a family history of breast cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation or defect. ■ Do you need it? The test generally is recommended for people with a family history of cancer, such as a parent or sibling diagnosed with breast cancer when they were 45 or younger. Recently, a University of Washington geneticist suggested that all women should be tested, starting about age 30, to help them try to prevent breast and ovarian cancers. ■ How much does it cost? It depends on your insurance. Some companies are expanding the groups of people that can be tested and be covered through their health insurance. If you pay for the test out-ofpocket, the cost depends on the manufacturer. ■ How is the test done? With a blood or saliva sample. Sources: Susan G. Komen; Providence Regional Cancer Partnership
Think Pink: A Herald special section n Patient resources — from a shop that sells bras, but offers much more, Page 3 n It takes a medical care team to fight cancer, Page 6 n Talking to children about cancer, Page 9 n Angelina Jolie’s tough decision after DNA screening, Page 13 n Area events raise money for research, Page 14 n Nourishing the body during treatment, Page 16 n Surviving is far more likely today, Page 20
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OLYMPIA — Washington State University is ready to pour a permanent foundation in Everett if the governor and state lawmakers will provide the taxpayer dollars to do so. WSU is seeking $61 million to construct a multi-story building across from Everett Community College to serve as the future home of the WSU-managed University Center of North Puget Sound. And Washington State is asking for $4.5 million to launch additional degree programs at the center, including software engineering, sustainable food systems and aviation maintenance. The requests went to Gov. Jay Inslee last month who will consider including them in his 2015-17 budget proposal due out in December. WSU also will need lawmakers’ support next year. The requests involve separate budgets that the governor will propose. Money for the building would come from the capital construction budget, which is funded through the sale of bonds. The academic programs would be paid for out of the operating budget. That’s the same pot of dollars lawmakers must rely on to fully fund public schools as ordered by the Supreme Court in the McCleary case. If successful, the two initiatives would pave the way for the Pullman-based research university to expand and fortify its presence in the city. “It’s exciting,” said Bob Drewel, interim chancellor for WSU operations. “It’s clear evidence of the commitment of the university.” Washington State University is a recent higher ed arrival to Everett. In 2012, it started offering classes for a mechanical engineering degree through the University Center, a collaboration of public and private colleges based on the campus of Everett Community College. This fall WSU launched bachelor’s degree programs in electrical engineering, See WSU, Page A4
SUNDAY
By Sharon Salyer
The university is asking for state funding for permanent building on the EvCC campus.
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