Genomic Sequencing Essay

The research team at Stanford Cancer Institute in California published their findings on how they have found genomic sequencing – a process that isolates genes that present high risk for disease – could be useful for determining a woman’s possibility of developing breast cancer. Mammography is the most common breast cancer screening method, where an X-ray of the breast is taken to check for tumors that would be too small to detect in simply just a clinical breast examination. The team working on the research looked to genomic sequencing where certain diseases can be identified through searching small sections of DNA. It has been claimed from past research that the genomes of women were sequenced and the genes ranked by risk and thus they

Now, with this new study claiming that genomic sequencing can be used to identify women who would most likely benefit from screening such as mammography. It could be very useful in helping women to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. Not only would the genetic sequencing help the individual to prevent a life-threatening disease, but we will also have the opportunity to research more into the etiology of breast cancer which could lead us to cancer discoveries beyond strictly breast tissue. I know as I woman, I would certainly support learning my risk for breast cancer. It is one of the leading causes of death in women (after lung cancer) that if I can avoid, I would do my very best to do. What is really phenomenal about the opportunity of learning your risk is you get time to prepare and it is no longer a do or die situation. You have the freedom and luxury of getting a heads-up. Something diseases typically aren’t polite enough to do for us. At 25 now you can know that in 30 years, you are in potential danger. That is tremendously better of a situation than finding out in 30 years that you have breast cancer. I support Professor Whittemore and I think she and her team deserve to do more research into this so that it can eventually be used for a more broad-range of pre-disposition