‘High-risk’ sisters urge genetic cancer check By Cheryl Anne Brodie TWO sisters are trying to increase awareness of the need for genetic testing among members of cancer-prone families. Tyabb nurse Julie Gaspero and her sister Michelle May of Traralgon, say that without the test they would not have known they have up to 80 per cent per cent chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer. The test looks for BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes in both males and females. The sisters were tested at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne after discussing their family’s history, specifically cancer, with their parents. The high risk for the women has been linked back to their father and aunt, who were both diagnosed with cancer. The genetic test for the sisters was free because they had a family history of breast cancer. Ms Gaspero said it was a mystery why doctors had not asked about their family’s medical history. The sisters believe it may be an area for improvement into the prevention of disease, especially one as prevalent as cancer and they want to make oth-
On tour: Graham Hubbard, Rosie Clark, Liz Barraclough and Sam Hearn on the Balcombe Estuary jetty. Picture: Supplied
Councillors go up the creek GOING up the creek was all part of an inspection tour for Briars ward councillors Rosie Clark and Sam Hearn. The two Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors elected last October were told about the fragile beauty of Balcombe Creek, its estuary and its adjoining bushland during a tour of the reserves with BERG Mt Martha president Graham Hubbard and field officer Liz Barraclough. The third Briars ward representative is the mayor Cr Bev Colomb, who has a long acquaintance with the Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group, Mt Martha. For more than an hour Mr Hubbard and Ms Barraclough briefed Crs Clark and Hearn on the work of the environ-
ment group as they strolled along the estuary boardwalk. Mr Hubbard said the environment group worked closely with the shire and Melbourne Water in maintaining the estuary and reserves which would suffer in the event of a chemical or sewage spill or overdevelopment. To help safeguard against this BERG regularly monitored the health of Balcombe Creek under its waterwatch program. Members also had regular working bees to remove weeds growing in the bushland and to plant new native trees in the reserves, he said. This was all part of a plan to restore the reserves to their original state. “We told councillors Clark and Hearn that each year our members
work more than 4000 hours in volunteer time in on-ground and community awareness to preserve and restore the estuary and reserves,” he said. “We showed them several major projects such as the bird hide, the burn site, the school murals in the campground, the quarry rehabilitation and the jetty seat. “We also discussed the problems of sedimentation and stormwater damage.” Mr Hubbard said the councillors were impressed with the reserves and with the work BERG Mt Martha had put in over the past 20 years. It was the first time Cr Clark had visited the estuary, but Cr Hearn said he had spent time there with his family. Barry Morris
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ers aware that the onus was on them to follow up investigation into the risk shown by their family history. “Genetic testing, specifically for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, is highly recommended where a family history of breast and or ovarian cancer is present in first or second degree relatives below the ages of 50,” oncoplastic surgeon Dr Nicole Yap, of The Valley Private Hospital, Mulgrave, said. “It is best to discuss this with the family doctor or a breast specialist and genetic counseller.” Genetic testing was highlighted in 2013 by actor Angelina Jolie when announcing she had undergone a preventative double mastectomy. “If we were not aware of our family history we wouldn’t have been tested, and we wouldn’t know our options,” Ms Gaspero said. After receiving the results of their genetic tests the sisters said they would rather know they have the BRCA1 gene than not. They see that knowledge as power and are now encouraging their brother to be tested. For more information speak with your family doctor; Pink Hope www. pinkhope.org.au; or the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne www. petermac.org
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