The results that Jessica received from DNA Answers enabled her to take early, preventive action.<\/p>\n
Jessica, a nurse for almost 10 years and the mother of three young children, tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. This means she has an increased risk for several types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer,\u00a0which\u00a0her grandmother experienced.<\/p>\n
When the test results came back, Jessica opted to speak with a genetics counselor who explained her results in depth and advised her to speak with a specialist to discuss her next steps in addressing the issues associated with the BRCA2 mutation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have arrived at a historic turning point in the history of medicine\u2013the ability to use information stored in patients\u2019 DNA to improve the accuracy of certain treatments for the individual patient,\u201d said Aldo Carmona, MD, St. Luke\u2019s Senior Vice President of Clinical Integration.<\/p>\n
Though the presence of the gene does not guarantee a person will develop those cancers, Jessica worked closely with her doctors to create a personalized cancer screening and risk-reduction plan.<\/p>\n
Jessica, 32 at the time, decided with her medical team to take preventative measures and underwent a mastectomy as a proactive approach to her health. Based upon her specific circumstances, Jessica and her doctors determined it was appropriate for her to wait before undergoing a hysterectomy to reduce ovarian cancer risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving this genetic knowledge has been life changing and empowering,\u201d Jessica said. \u201cI think the whole \u2018knowledge is power\u2019 mantra influenced me. Being in health care helped me make my decision. It wasn\u2019t scary. What\u2019s scarier for me is getting a cancer diagnosis when I\u2019m in my 40s, 50s or 60s.\u00a0I\u2019m an anxious person, and to have to go through a mammogram and bloodwork every year and then wait for the results every year, that would be almost unbearable. I would be too nervous, too often, every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/JessicaBurke-1024x683.jpg\")
Jessica Burke (Credit: St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network)<\/p>\n
Christopher N. Chapman, MD, Medical Director for SLUHN Precision Medicine and the Principal Investigator for the DNA Answers study explained, \u201cOur study initially aims to enroll 100,000 participants over four years. Participating individuals, like Mrs. Burke, are provided genetic screening at no cost, informing them of important health information about inherited risks for serious conditions, such as a certain type of\u00a0cardiovascular disease<\/a>\u00a0and certain types of cancer. This knowledge allows the participant to make proactive decisions in conjunction with their health care provider to potentially delay, reduce or even prevent these conditions from occurring later in life.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessica\u2019s results, revealing she carries a mutation in the BRCA2 gene, have inspired others in her family to enroll with DNA Answers. Her sister tested negative for the mutation in the BRCA2 gene and now has clarity over her health. A cousin on her father\u2019s side is also contemplating enrolling.<\/p>\n Participating in DNA Answers may also allow participants to keep learning from their DNA in the future. Since each individual\u2019s genetic information has been sequenced and stored, it permits additional clinical genomic tests to be run, with a provider\u2019s order and patient consent, without the need to collect an additional sample. This could help providers tailor care options and\u00a0learn what medications are more likely to work for the participant\u00a0as well as potentially provide patients with\u00a0additional\u00a0genetic insights about their health throughout their lifetime.<\/p>\n There is no cost to participate in the DNA Answers\u00a0research program, although additional testing would be billed in the usual manner.<\/p>\n