More controversy on the BRCA genetic test:
“I’m really concerned about the message because it will excite fear and anxiety,” says Shelly Cummings, senior genetic counselor in the Cancer Risk Clinic at the University of Chicago. “Although it will start conversation with a genetic counselor, I’m afraid of the psychological effect this TV campaign will have.”
Dr. Stephanie Hines of Mayo’s Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic and Breast Cancer Program in Jacksonville, Fla., agrees. “I’m afraid the commercials will cause a lot of demand for the test. People who actually have a very low likelihood of having a mutation will be requesting the test.”
