Myriad Survey Shows High Percentage of Women Pooly Informed on Breast Density Status/Risks and Family Health History Pertaining to Cancer Risk

Myriad Genetics, a prominent player in genetic testing and precision medicine, has unveiled findings from a nationwide survey that shed light on the misunderstood risk factors associated with breast cancer. The Myriad Genetics Cancer Risk Survey has highlighted two crucial factors – breast density and family health history – that often go overlooked when assessing breast cancer risk.
The survey results indicate a significant knowledge gap among women, with 48% of respondents admitting they don’t know what breast density is. Furthermore, 50% are uncertain about any connection between breast density and breast cancer risk. This is a concerning revelation, as women with dense breasts are up to four times more likely to develop breast cancer when compared to those without dense breasts. Additionally, higher-density breast tissue can hinder the detection of breast masses or cancer during mammograms, potentially necessitating additional imaging tests. Recognizing the importance of this issue, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated mammography regulations, mandating that mammography facilities inform patients about their breast density by September 2024.
Another key finding from the survey was that a significant portion of women feel inadequately informed about their family’s medical history. Only 19% of respondents believe they have all the necessary medical information from their mother’s side, while a mere 15% feel the same about their father’s side. Surprisingly, nearly 25% of women reported that they don’t discuss health issues within their families, citing this as the primary reason for their lack of knowledge about their family’s medical history.
Melissa Gonzales, President of Women’s Health at Myriad Genetics, emphasized the need to educate women about the role of family history and breast density, among other factors, in determining their breast cancer risk. She stressed the importance of open dialogues with family members and healthcare providers, along with regular mammograms. For women with elevated risk factors, genetic testing can provide a personalized cancer risk assessment.