Myriad Genetic Laboratories on Monday began a direct-to-consumer advertising campaign in Boston; Hartford, Conn.; New York City; and Providence, R.I., of its genetic test, BRCAnalysis, which identifies the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, the Wall Street Journal reports.
According to Myriad, women with certain BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a 56% to 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 27% to 44% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Women and Cancer
Cancer is one of the frequently talked about and most feared disease that falls under the genre of lifestyle diseases that have evolved, rather rapidly, in the past two decades.
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Women in the general population have about a 7% risk of developing breast cancer and less than 2% risk of developing ovarian cancer, the company says. BRCA mutations account for fewer than 10% of breast cancer cases, and about one in 400 women are living with the mutation, the New York Times reports.
Myriad's campaign includes television commercials, and magazine and radio advertisements and carries the slogan, "Be ready against cancer." The campaign is scheduled to last six months and is targeted toward women ages 25 to 55, according to the Times.
![Researchers Identify the Gene Mutation That Raises Breast Cancer Risk]( "Researchers Identify the Gene Mutation That Raises Breast Cancer Risk")
An extensive survey of DNA samples from nearly 50,000 women, half of whom had breast cancer, has revealed a common gene mutation that holds 60 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.
Myriad in late 2002 and early 2003 ran the commercials in a five-month test in Denver and Atlanta. According to the company, there were 38 times more calls to Myriad's toll free number and 30% more women tested in those cities, compared with control cities.
The commercial encourages women to contact their physicians for more information about the test or call its toll-free number. It features six women saying "breast cancer runs in my family" and vowing to "be ready against cancer" by taking the test. Myriad hopes to extend the campaign nationwide, the Journal reports.
The test costs between $300 and $3,000, depending on the level of genetic sequencing performed. According to the Journal, most insurance companies will cover the cost for women who have a family history of breast cancer.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
LIN/J
Researchers Identify the Gene Mutation That Raises Breast Cancer Risk
An extensive survey of DNA samples from nearly 50,000 women, half of whom had breast cancer, has revealed a common gene mutation that holds 60 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.
Advertisement
Myriad in late 2002 and early 2003 ran the commercials in a five-month test in Denver and Atlanta. According to the company, there were 38 times more calls to Myriad's toll free number and 30% more women tested in those cities, compared with control cities.
The commercial encourages women to contact their physicians for more information about the test or call its toll-free number. It features six women saying "breast cancer runs in my family" and vowing to "be ready against cancer" by taking the test. Myriad hopes to extend the campaign nationwide, the Journal reports.
The test costs between $300 and $3,000, depending on the level of genetic sequencing performed. According to the Journal, most insurance companies will cover the cost for women who have a family history of breast cancer.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
LIN/J
Simple Blood Test for BRCA Gene Mutation Helps Save Lives
A simple blood test to check for gene mutations may help to stop the cancers.
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