CBC News Feature: GCI’s Dr. Lesa Dawson shows routine BRCA testing cost-effective for Canadians

According to a new UBC study by Dr. Lesa Dawson’s research team, routine testing for BRCA gene mutations could prevent thousands of breast and ovarian cancer cases in Canada. The historically expensive test has come down in price, but it is still only available to people with a family history of cancer — something that patients and doctors want to see changed.

This important research reveals that offering BRCA1/2 genetic testing to all women aged 30 and older, what we call "population testing," is cost-effective in the Canadian healthcare system and could significantly reduce breast and ovarian cancer cases.

The research shows that this strategy could prevent over 2,500 breast cancer and 485 ovarian cancer cases per 1 million women, potentially averting 196 breast cancer and 163 ovarian cancer deaths. The study highlights that population-based testing is not only cost-effective but can improve early detection and preventative care, leading to better outcomes for patients and a reduced burden on the healthcare system.

Read the full article here.