Documentary Addresses Breast and Ovarian Cancer Gene

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Updated: 5:47 PM Mar 25, 2009 Documentary Addresses Breast and Ovarian Cancer Gene Is ignorance really bliss when it comes to cancer screening? A documentary airing Wednesday night on the grounds of the University of Virginia attempts to answer this question. Posted: 12:32 PM Mar 25, 2009 Reporter: Sara Ross Email Address: sara.ross@wcav.tv

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March 25, 2009

Is ignorance really bliss when it comes to cancer screening? A documentary airing Wednesday night on the grounds of the University of Virginia attempts to answer this question.

The film entitled "In the Family" sparks emotional and heated debate about advances in breast and ovarian cancer screening. The film documents the lives of several women with family histories of cancer who face the decision of whether or not to undergo genetic testing to see if they carry the potentially deadly gene for breast or ovarian cancer.

The test determines if you have a mutation of the BRCA gene. Just having a mutation does not mean you'll get cancer, but women who have the mutation on average have an 85% greater chance of developing breast cancer. They also have a 60% greater risk for developing ovarian cancer.

If the test comes back positive, women must decide how to live with the knowledge and decide if they want to take often drastic preventative steps like having hysterectomies and mastectomies.

For the filmmaker, the subject hits close to home. That's why she decided to put herself in front of the camera when she found out at the age of 27 that she tested positive for the gene mutation. She says she deals with the weight of the knowledge every day.

The film will be screened Wednesday night at 7:00 pm in Room 125 in Minor Hall. The screening is free and open to the public.

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