What We Don’t Know Can Hurt: New Cancer Risk Survey from Myriad Genetics Reveals Serious Knowledge Gaps About Breast Density and Cancer Risk
17 Julho 2024 - 9:00AM
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in genetic testing
and precision medicine, today announced results from its nationwide
Cancer Risk Survey: Breast Cancer Edition, which revealed that a
majority (63%) of women do not know that there is an increased risk
of breast cancer for women with dense breasts. The survey, now in
its third year, focused on understanding the role of breast density
and cancer risk among women ages 18+ in the U.S. Key survey
takeaways include:
44% of women do not
understand breast density and 63% of women
do not know there is a connection
between breast density and cancer risk.Though dense
breast tissue is normal, women who have it are at a slightly
elevated risk for developing breast cancer.1 According to new FDA
guidelines, by September 2024 all breast imaging facilities must
alert patients by letter if they have dense breasts providing
recommendations that they contact their care provider for follow-up
and risk assessment.2 For women with dense breasts, additional
screening methods such as ultrasound or MRI may be recommended
together with mammography to improve cancer detection rates.
"Dense breasts present unique challenges in breast cancer
screening, but awareness and proactive management can help mitigate
these challenges,” said Dr. Ifeyinwa Stitt, an OB-GYN physician in
Annapolis, MD. “By understanding their breast density and cancer
risk, women can make informed decisions about their screening
options and take proactive steps to prioritize their
well-being.”
Only 66% of women believe that annual breast health
checks are necessary.The survey revealed that 92% of women
understand that detecting cancer early means they may have more
treatment options and a higher chance for better outcomes. Despite
this understanding, only 66% women believe annual breast health
checks are necessary.
"Finding breast cancer early is critical, as early detection can
lead to improved patient outcomes,” said Edie Smith DNP, an
Advanced Practice Nurse and Myriad hereditary and breast cancer
subject matter expert. "But we know that dense breast tissue makes
cancers more difficult to detect with mammography alone. The
fibrous and glandular tissue associated with dense breasts appear
white on a mammogram, just as cancer does. However, mammography is
still the only way to determine if you have dense breasts."
40% of women think they should receive additional
screenings, like MRIs or ultrasounds, if they are identified to
have dense breast tissue, but only 1/3 of
those would consider genetic testing.
These findings expose a critical gap in understanding, as insights
gathered through genetic testing may reveal patients at increased
risk that would benefit from additional screenings to identify
cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. By combining genetic
insights, family history and other clinical factors like breast
density, MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test with RiskScore® calculates
a woman’s 5-year and remaining lifetime risk of breast cancer. If a
woman is found to be at high risk, she then has multiple options
available to her, including a change in medical management.
“Breast cancer has impacted my family since
before I was born - my great grandmother, grandmother and mother
all passed away from breast cancer. My mother lost her battle at
only 42, when I was only 21-years old,” said Ashley Dedmon, a
patient advocate for Myriad’s MyRisk with RiskScore test. "I want
every clinician in the country who may not think genetic testing is
necessary to hear my story. Your patients want and need this
screening.”
About the surveyMyriad Genetics
Cancer Risk Survey is a nationwide poll conducted online by ACUPOLL
Precision Research, Inc. from April 17-April 19, 2024, among a
statistically representative sample (n=n=1,192) of U.S. females age
18+. The margin of error in survey results for the total base
population at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 3%.
About MyRisk® Hereditary
Cancer Test with RiskScore®MyRisk® with RiskScore®
evaluates 48 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk to
identify genetic changes associated with an increased cancer risk
for 11 different cancers. When combined with family history and
other clinical factors such as breast density, MyRisk with
RiskScore provides eligible patients with a breast cancer risk
assessment individualized to them.
About Myriad GeneticsMyriad Genetics is a
leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to
advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers
genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or
disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical
specialties where genetic insights can significantly improve
patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information,
visit www.myriad.com.
Safe Harbor Statement This press release
contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements relating to how genetic testing, when combined with
family history and other clinical factors such as breast density,
may help patients at increased risk of breast cancer who may
benefit from additional screenings identify cancer at its earliest
and most treatable stage and how a women’s understanding of their
breast density and cancer risk can help them take a proactive and
informed approach as it relates to their breast cancer screening
options. These “forward-looking statements” are management’s
expectations of future events as of the date hereof and are subject
to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially and
adversely from those anticipated. Such factors include those risks
described in the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K filed on February 28, 2024, as well as any updates to those
risk factors filed from time to time in the company’s Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Myriad is not
under any obligation, and it expressly disclaims any obligation, to
update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise except as required
by law.
- Fibroglandular Density: What Are Dense
Breasts? Breastcancer.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024,
from https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/dense-breasts
- Office of the Commissioner. (2023, March 9). FDA updates
mammography regulations to require reporting of breast density
information and enhance facility oversight. U.S. Food And Drug
Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-updates-mammography-regulations-require-reporting-breast-density-information-and-enhance
Investor ContactMatt Scalo(801)
584-3532IR@myriad.com
Media ContactGlenn Farrell(385)
318-3718PR@myriad.com
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