Recently, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie was found to be at high risk of breast cancer through genetic testing. The decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy was made after genetic testing revealed a high risk of breast cancer. After the successful mastectomy, doctors believe that Jolie’s risk of breast cancer has dropped from 87% to less than 5%. The company’s newest product is a new product that will be available in the marketplace. Is Jolie’s move worthy of emulation by women? Are the results of this type of surgery really that good? According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health in 2011, more than 126,000 women in mainland China suffer from breast cancer and more than 37,000 die from it every year. However, experts told China Science News that although genetic testing is currently available in China, it is still necessary to consider whether to follow Jolie’s example of “cutting the breast to prevent cancer”. It was on the basis of the testing of two gene fragments, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that Jolie learned of her risk of developing breast cancer. ”These two genes are like two ‘gatekeepers’ among many genes in the human body, and they have important roles in regulating the replication of human cells, repairing damaged DNA genetic material and promoting normal cell growth.” Tan Xianjie, chief physician of gynecological oncology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, explained in an interview with the newspaper. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are called “oncogenes” because they can inhibit the development of malignant tumors. However, when these two genes are mutated, their function of inhibiting tumorigenesis will be affected. ”The BRCA1 mutation gives carriers a lifetime chance of developing breast cancer of nearly 90 percent, while carriers of the BRCA2 mutation have a similarly high lifetime chance of developing breast cancer of 85 percent.” Pan Qiang, a professor at Karolinska School of Medicine in Sweden and head of the UW-Gene Center for Translational Oncology Research, said in an interview with China Science News. According to Pan Qiang, the current genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2 can be divided into full gene sequence tests and gene fragment tests for common mutations, while the former can cost up to about 100,000 yuan. ”In Europe and the United States, due to the patent restrictions on commercial testing, these two fragmentary genetic tests charge around RMB 20,000, and the cost in China is only 1/7 or 1/8 of foreign countries, and the cost of testing by Huada Gene is only RMB 4,500.” Currently, more than 50 genes known to be associated with cancer risk can be tested at a cost of only a few thousand yuan, Pan Qiang said. ”Among the identified causes of pathogenic gene mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, hereditary gene mutations cause only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer, which is not a high percentage.” Zhang Zhaohui, chief physician of the Department of Oncology and Chemotherapy at Beihang Hospital, said in an interview with the newspaper. She suggested potential groups with family genetic risk of breast cancer to be tested and take preventive measures early. However, experts believe that for preventive testing, psychological support should also follow. Otherwise, if the test result is positive, you will be “on edge” and under great psychological pressure all day long, which is more dangerous. There are still risks after mastectomy In decades of practice, Zhang Zhaohui has only experienced one case of preventive unilateral resection, and the patient was already an elderly woman. ”Breast cancer has a high incidence rate, and the 301 Hospital performs more than 1,000 resections each year because of breast cancer.” Li Chenggang, attending surgeon of the Department of Oncology at the General Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, said in an interview with the newspaper, “yet there are still no cases of preventive resection.” ”As of now, prophylactic resection has not yet formed a norm in our industry, and this is also true from an international perspective.” Mao Feng, a breast surgery specialist at Concord Hospital, said in an interview with the newspaper. Experts said that with the improvement of medical level, the long-term survival rate of breast cancer patients has improved greatly and breast-conserving treatment is clinically possible. On the contrary, after mastectomy, the risk of disease is not completely reduced to zero, and there are certain risks in the resection surgery itself. Therefore, preventive mastectomy should be discussed with family members and doctors before making a decision. According to Zhang Zhaohui, among the four stages of breast cancer, the five-year survival rate of stage I patients at Beihang Hospital is over 93%, and the five-year survival rate of stage II patients is also over 80%. With the advancement of medical technology, breast cancer treatment has radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and endocrine therapy in addition to surgery, “even in advanced stage, it can be treated as a chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes.” Zhang Zhaohui said. Preventive treatment, on the other hand, has the same risks as treatment after the disease, such as anesthesia, post-operative healing, and whether it will become infected. At the same time, there are risks associated with breast remodeling. Zhang Zhaohui has encountered a case in which an implanted prosthesis ruptured. “If the material is more compatible with the body there is no problem, otherwise it is more troublesome if it leaks into the subcutaneous tissue.” ”The reason for rupture is definitely a big pressure or trauma to the chest, but the chances of that are very small.” She said. Early detection is most important Zhang Zhaohui said there are two main age groups with high incidence of breast cancer. One is the perimenopausal period around the age of 40 to 49, and the other is the age of 60 when the ovaries are shrinking. Experts believe that in order to nip breast cancer in the bud, it is important to do a good job of prevention, combining regular medical checkups with self-examinations. ”If you feel an isolated lump in your breast, or if you find a collapsed nipple, wrinkled breast skin, or blood-shaped milk or discharge from the nipple, you should pay close attention to it.” Li Chenggang said. ”Genes can’t be controlled, but the environment can be controlled.” Pan Qiang said. The formation of any cancer has two factors: own genes and external environment, and all environmental factors that have nothing to do with genes are controllable. Smoking, drinking, staying up late and obesity all increase the risk of breast cancer, while breastfeeding has a protective effect.