Proms Podcast

Star musicians and your favourite Times writers at the Albert Hall

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
February 16, 2008

GPs ‘should provide breast cancer tests’

Mark Henderson

Genetic screening for breast cancer should be carried out by family doctors so that women who have lost relatives to the disease do not have to wait to be referred to a specialist, a senior American doctor said yesterday.

Funmi Olopade, Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, said that there was no longer any good reason for restricting tests for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to a specialist oncology setting, as GPs now had enough information about the testing to advise women.

Women who carry either gene have an 80 per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, and many who have a family history of the condition opt for genetic testing so that they can reduce their risk through screening, or by having a preventive mastectomy.

I think this article is missing the point. Breast cancer has risen 80% since 1971. Even women with faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a significantly higher risk now than 40 years ago. The gene pool has not changed in this time. This shows the causes must be environmental, including diet. The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation has published a review of the scientific evidence that clearly shows that meat and dairy foods are linked to an increased risk of this disease while plant foods (fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods) are associated with a lower risk. Changing the diet can help both prevent and overcome breast cancer. This information should be available to all women - and men, among whom breast cancer is increasing too.

Dr Justine Butler, Bristol, UK

Have your say

* Required

Also in Health

Also in Life & Style

Clara Tait set off on her travels, but things didn't turn out quite as she hoped.

I swapped partying for meditation

Distressing events led one gap-year student to a monastic life

Frank Furedi, controversial sociologist, who thinks parents worry too much.

Celebrity health interviews

This week sociologist, Frank Furedi, on over protective parenting

Solait suncream

Don't feel the burn

The top six sun creams tried and tested by the Times

Girl hiding her legs under her nightdress in bedroom.

My six-year-old has hairy legs

Dr Tanya Byron advises a woman whose child is losing confidence due to excess body hair

John Black

Champion of the cutting edge

John Black, new president of the Royal College of Surgeons, gets political

Bowl of Museli with banana

Is soluble fibre the same as roughage, and how much do I really need?

Times nutritionist, Amanda Ursell, answers your questions

Health Jobs

Make a new start

Times Online brings you the best of public sector jobs, as advertised in The Times and The Sunday Times

Ask The Times doctor

Do you have a drink-related problem? E-mail your question for Dr Tom

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

swimmer

London Triathlon:

Follow our three athletes' progress in their preparations for the London Triathlon, and pick up training tips and more

Dr Zhivago

Top 100 Films:

Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets

A family canoeing on a lake

Sport Safety :

We explore leisure activities that are safe and suitable for all of the family

Focus zone, pets, 100x100

Perfect Pets:

Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet

Daniel Craig

James Bond:

Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers

previous next

Popular Searches on Times Online

books | chess | currency converter | fantasy football | fashion | formula 1 | horoscopes | mortgages | olympics | pensions | podcasts | property | recipes | redundancy calculator | sudoku | travel news | weather forecast | wine

Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

A family canoeing on a lake

Special

Sport Safety

Enjoy the outdoors

Services

The Times Health Club

Times Health Club Join now and get in shape

Luxx

The Times Luxx

A treasure trove of baubles, booty and stylish quests

Ramsay eatery

Restaurant Offers

50% off top restaurants, book online

Cyclists

RELATED REPORT

London Triathlon

Tips for successful training

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa 2dr


£26,995
Unit 1, Woodfield Business Unit, Kidderminster Road, Ombersley, Worcester.

Car insurance

Great car insurance deals online


Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
Head of Brand Marketing

90k + Bonus + Options
Confidential
London

Team Managers

£23,716 +
Highways Agency
National

Central Services and Facilities Manager

£ £43,405 - £48,228 pa
Notting Hill Housing
London

Field Sales Executive

£30,000 base, £100,000 OTE
Riches Consulting
London/South

Properties

Outstanding Barn con in rural Kent, 4,600 sq ft

with annexe accommodation and 5.25 acres
£1,100,000

The Gardens @ Riverside Quarter Luxury Appts in Wandsworth

Beautiful Gardens w/ stunning Thames Views

Ajman UAE (next to Dubai): Prices set to double in 18 months!

Studios £33K, 1 Beds £60K, 2 beds  £79K

Barclays

Mortgages, bank acc & money transfers to help you buy abroad

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Classical Jordan guided tour

Explore mystical Jordan
From £1030 for 7nts 4*

Great Value City Break

to USA's Most Cosmopolitan City; San Francisco!
£POA

Antigua Beach Club Holidays

Book Now for Winter 08/09 and Get 10% off!


Travel insurance

Great travel insurance deals online


Place your advert now