Women should be aware of the ‘Jolie effect’ leading to too many mastectomies, scientists warn

Women should be aware of unnecessary mastectomy due to the ‘Jolie effect’, experts say.

Women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene, such as Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, and the related BRCA2 gene, are at greater risk of breast cancer.

But a study has now found that their risk is 76 percent higher if they also have a mother or sister with breast cancer.

Experts are concerned that women may not realize that their risk of breast cancer is much higher if they have a family history, like Ms. Jolie, who had a mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing cancer.

Those without a family history may end up having surgery to protect themselves from cancer, making the important decision without realizing that they are much less likely to develop it.

The evidence comes from a survey of 450,000 Britons aged 40 to 70, who received genetic testing as part of the UK Biobank health research.

Among them, 230 had a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, 78 of whom also had a mother or sister who had breast cancer.

When these people were followed until age 60, nearly 45 percent with the genetic mutation and a family history developed breast cancer.

But only 23 percent of women with the mutation developed breast cancer before age 60 if they did not also have a close family history of it.

The researchers say women should pay close attention to the numbers because the rise of at-home genetic testing kits means many can now find out they have a mutation in one of the BRCA genes.

Experts are concerned about the decisions that might be made by these women, who would not be eligible for a genetic test through the NHS unless they had breast or ovarian cancer, or a family member with one of these cancers and a known BRCA mutation.

Dr. Leigh Jackson, who led the research at the University of Exeter, said more and more women were opting for breast cancer surgery, especially since 48-year-old Angelina Jolie shared her experiences.

But he added: ‘Being told that you have a high genetic risk of disease can significantly influence the level of fear you have about a particular condition and the subsequent action you can take.

‘We urge that anyone communicating cancer risk does so on the basis of a detailed family history, and not just on genetics.’

The study, published in the Lancet journal eClinical Medicine, said estimates of breast cancer risk from genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 may be misleadingly high for people without a family history of the disease.

That’s because people with a family history are likely to have a higher risk of unknown mutations in genes besides the BRCA genes.