The occurrence of ovarian cancer in the population of urban and rural women, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes mutation testing and the general rules on the patient’s consent to treatment

Abstract

Introduction. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes belong to suppressor genes that control the mechanisms of repairing various damages of the DNA double helix, regulate cell division, and the cell cycle. Mutations within these genes are associated with the hereditary ovarian and breast cancers. Aim. Assessment of the frequency of testing BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation in the population of women living in urban and rural environments with diagnosed ovarian cancer. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 300 women seeking treatment or consulting a doctor from the Wielkopolska Oncology Center in Poznań, and patients treated in a home hospice in the Rawicz district in Wielkopolska province over the period 2016-2018. Results. Among the respondents, the most were women aged from 36 to 40 (53.3%). The age of developing ovarian cancer for the women from cities is between 41 and 45. In the vast majority of women, i.e. 247 (82.3%), epithelial cancer was diagnosed. A marker that could indicate ovarian cancer, i.e. CA 125 antigen, was determined in more than half of 165 (55.0%). However, only in a few cases, in a total of 25 (8.3%) patients a test confirming the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation was performed. Conclusions. The possibility of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation in all sick women and their closest family should be considered. Regardless of the age of women, it is important to raise awareness of the risk of ovarian cancer, encourage them to keep regular medical appointments, and perform diagnostic tests.