HUNDREDS of thousands more Brits could have genetic testing for their cancer risk under health plans.
The NHS watchdog NICE has suggested lowering the bar for people to get DNA tests to see if they are carrying genes linked to ovarian cancer.
Getty – ContributorHundreds of thousands of UK women are unknowingly carrying genes that raise their cancer risk[/caption]
It says only around three per cent of the more than 400,000 women who carry them know about the danger.
Men could also be tested because they can pass them on to their daughters, said bosses at the National Institutes for Health and Care Excellence.
Some of the same mutations are also linked to breast cancer, the most common type in Britain.
Professor Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer at NICE, said: “We aim to raise awareness of people’s risk, helping them get the best care and reducing the devastating impact ovarian cancer can have on people and their families.
“While there will be an initial upfront cost to increasing genetic testing, the risk-reducing surgery we recommend could save lives while also saving the NHS money in the long run.”
Women found to be at very high risk of ovarian cancer can have their ovaries removed to prevent it.
Around 7,500 women are diagnosed with the disease every year and 4,100 die of it.
Nine out of 10 cases cannot be prevented with a healthier lifestyle, according to Cancer Research UK, with many linked to damaging gene mutations.
People may be referred to the genetic testing if they or a close relative has had cancer.
NICE suggests lowering the threshold so people with a two per cent risk of carrying a risk gene can be tested, compared to the current standard of a 10 per cent risk.
It will run a consultation on the proposal until October 27.
Rachel Downing, from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Identifying those at risk for developing ovarian cancer is an important step in combating this devastating disease.
“We know awareness of ovarian cancer is too low and it is not surprising that only three per cent know they have a high-risk gene.
“This draft guideline is a promising step forward.”