Scientists warn against the "Angelina Jolie gene": Men are especially at risk

Cancer researchers say men who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, known as the " Angelina Jolie gene," should be screened for prostate cancer every year.

Mutations in these genes significantly increase the risk of men developing earlier and more aggressive prostate cancer, according to experts at the London-based Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).

The ICR team presented the results of their study, which aimed to identify those at highest risk for prostate disease, at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress in Berlin. The study, conducted at 65 centers in 20 countries with support from the Cancer Research UK Foundation, was conducted.

HIGH RISK

The study found that men with the BRCA1 mutation were more than three times more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer than those without the mutation.

Additionally, the risk of prostate cancer has doubled in those carrying the BRCA2 mutation, while the average age at diagnosis has dropped from 65 to 60.

“ANNUAL PSA TESTING CAN SAVE LIVES”

Experts emphasized that screening, which looks for prostate cancer markers in the blood called the PSA test, is an effective tool for early diagnosis in men at high risk.

"Men carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a significantly higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Until more sensitive tests are developed, annual PSA screening in these groups could help detect the disease at an early, treatable stage," Ros Eeles, Professor of Oncogenetics at the ICR, told the Daily Mail.

Eeles called on regulatory bodies to update the guidelines and offer annual PSA testing to men carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation starting at age 40.

More than 3,000 men underwent PSA testing annually for five years as part of the study. The results demonstrated that targeted screening can play a significant role in early detection.

According to data, 90 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage are still alive after 10 years. However, when the disease is detected late, this rate drops to less than 20 percent.

ANGELINA JOLIE GENE

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that regulate DNA repair in cells. When these genes are mutated, cells cannot properly repair DNA damage, increasing the risk of developing cancer.

It increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women, and prostate and pancreatic cancer in men.

Jolie's mother and aunt died of ovarian cancer. In 2013, Jolie underwent genetic testing and learned she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. This mutation increased her risk of breast cancer to 87 percent and ovarian cancer to 50 percent.

The actress then had a preventive mastectomy (removal of both breasts) and then an ovarian removal surgery.

Jolie shared this decision with the world in her article titled “My Medical Choice” published in the New York Times.