Who can be tested?
Genetic testing is currently only suitable for people with a strong family history of breast cancer. This is because genetic tests are currently carried out for a handful of known genes, which are only likely to be found in people with a strong family history. Genetic testing for a family consists of 2 stages: • Mutation searchingFirstly, the DNA of an affected relative (that is someone in the family who has or has had breast cancer) is searched to find if there is a mutation in one of the ‘breast cancer’ genes. An affected relative has genetic testing first as any gene mutation that is causing disease in the family is more likely to be found in their DNA. This is known as mutation searching. • Mutation testing or Predictive testingSecondly, if a family mutation is found, then DNA from unaffected relatives (that is family members who have not had breast cancer) can be tested. This is a choice that each family member makes for themselves.
Parents are often told that the child is too young to be tested. This may have some truth, but deserves comment. The issue is more what the child is being tested for. The first manifestation of allergy is due to food. It shows itself as a form of eczema called atopic dermatitis. This illness may appear after the first three months of life. An infant with dry, itchy, flaky skin who is more than three months of age could be tested to food to help find an allergic trigger for this problem. So, yes the very young can be tested. Now testing the very young child for pollen allergy is not warranted. This is a frequent concern of parents of children with nasal symptoms or asthma. The development of pollen allergy takes time. It evolves over two to three seasons. There may be other aeroallergens that would be more pertinent- the dander of dogs and especially cats, and the excreta of roaches and house dust mites.
