Segment 2 - Impact of the SCOTUS Decision on Genetic Testing

Dr Berger asked the panel how both the June 2013 Supreme Court decision and the Angelina Jolie disclosure impacted genetic testing and counseling. After the Supreme Court’s decision there was an influx of inexpensive and more comprehensive genetic tests available. “In my view, having also been in the filed for 18 years, the entire playing field changed very, very quickly,” said Ms Matloff. “We suddenly had all of these options and we could order a lot more testing for either less money or certainly the same amount of money we were paying for BRCA analysis from Myriad, and I think this is a good and bad thing.”

Dr Brawley said that since Angelina Jolie’s disclosure, the American Cancer Society has had more inquiries regarding BRCA testing, but only BRCA testing alone. He also notes the increase of women choosing to have bilateral mastectomies even though that is not the right decision for everyone. “Many of the women who chose to get a bilateral mastectomy or are choosing to get a bilateral mastectomy, if they were to sit back, think, and understand everything about it they might chose a different method of trying to prevent breast cancer,” said Dr Brawley.