2. • The actress revealed in May last year she had
had the surgery, after being told she had an
87% chance of the disease because of a high-risk
gene.
• The news encouraged women with genuine
concerns about their family history to get
advice, a study found.
3. • In June and July the number referrals for
genetic counselling and DNA tests for breast
cancer mutations increased two and a half
times compared with the same period in
2012.
• "This may have lessened patients' fears about
a loss of sexual identity post-preventative
surgery and encouraged those who had not
previously engaged with health services to
consider genetic testing."
4. • About 5% of breast cancers are thought to be
hereditary.
• Women in general have a one in eight chance
of developing breast cancer during their
lifetime.
