One Mother's Radical Decision

Recently, with the development and availability of various tests for detecting breast cancer-causing genes, the following question has arisen: "How are the results of the testing being used by patients and their doctors?" Below is a scenario that examines this question, i.e., how does one use this new found information responsibly and wisely?

Mary Jane Smith is a 30 year old mother of two young boys who has recently lost both her mother and an older sister to breast cancer. After learning about the development of a test for determining one's susceptibility to a particular form of breast cancer, Mary decides to have the test done. The gene for which Mary was tested is responsible for causing 4 percent of the breast cancer diagnoses. Women who test positive for this genetic mutation have an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer by age 80.

Mary's test came back positive. She was given two possible courses of action. Either she could have both of her breasts removed as a form of prevention, or she could continue to have regularly scheduled follow-up visits and check-ups.

Mary decides to have the operation and have a double mastectomy. She decides on this course of action so that she can have some "peace of mind."

Discussion Questions

Points to ponder :

Removing the breasts does not completely eliminate the risk of cancer. Although a person may have the breasts removed, the gene that is responsible could still present in the body.

Class discussion questions :

Do you think Mary has made the right decision ? Why or Why not ?
Do you consider the operation to be a form of preventive medicine ? Why or why not ?
Many find Mary's approach "extreme" because genetic testing is so novel. If you were Mary's regular family doctor, what would be your advise to her ?

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