Should you take a genetic test for breast cancer?

May 1, 2023
by RJ Hamster

Monday, May 1, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we consider a new breast cancer test, experiment with genetically engineered chestnut trees, explore history’s gory mummy-eating fad … and discover 2,500 year-old canals.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AKOS STILLER, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

If a test could tell you if you have a genetic propensity for breast cancer, would you take it? Should you?

These aren’t easy questions. Genetic mutations are behind only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers—and tests may not pick up if breast cancer simply runs in the family. That said, if a person has breast cancer, a genetic test could help inform treatment. For those concerned about getting breast cancer, a positive result might give you a head start on preventative measures, as simple as exercise or invasive as mastectomies.

Here’s what you should know. (Pictured above, possible anomalies in a breast cancer screen).

Read this full story and more with a Premium Subscription. Subscribe now.

SEE SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN ANGELILLO, UPI/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

How sneaker culture took over the world (Above, sneakers worn by Michael Jordan)

The Stone of Destiny has a mysterious past beyond British coronations

These 2,500 year-old canals, once thought mythical, were real, scientists say

For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine

These 7 hormones influence how much—or little—you eat. Can we influence them?

The Asian American ‘model minority’ myth masks a history of discrimination

Radioactive dogs? What we can learn from Chernobyl’s pups

Wait… did people really eat mummies?

She ruled Egypt and seduced the Romans. But who was Cleopatra? Related: The hunt for her tomb

See the face of a 9,000-year-old teenager

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY DUŠAN MARTINČEK, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR DISNEY

How the world met Anne Frank: The Jewish family needed a place to hide from the Nazis. Miep Gies shielded and sheltered them. An informer led Nazis to the hiding spot, but Gies managed to save a red-checked notebook, Anne Frank’s diary, which would become the world’s most famous Holocaust account, Nat Geo reports. (Above a scene from a new TV miniseries on Gies and the Franks.)

Tune in: A Small Light premieres on National Geographic today and begins streaming on Disney+ tomorrow. See the trailer.

DEFYING THE NAZIS

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID GUTTENFELDER

Old town road: Tokyo today is Japan’s energetic urban heart—vibrant, creative, alive. Its culture bounced back from a history of war and natural disaster, but another challenge looms: Deaths outnumber births, and the current population is rapidly aging. (Above, young families enjoy a day in Yoyogi Park.)

LEARN MORE

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

PHOTOGRAPH BY AMY TOENSING

We may have to ‘play God’: A deadly fungus—accidentally imported in the late 19th century—killed 4 billion chestnut trees across the U.S., about one-fourth of the hardwood trees growing in Appalachia. Now, scientists are experimenting with genetically engineered blight-resistant trees to help make a comeback. (Above, a lab worker separates a chestnut from its burrs.)

CHESTNUTS FOREVER?

Today’s soundtrack: Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, KT Turnstall

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! It was curated and edited by Mallory Benedict, Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. Want to let us know your thoughts? Send away: david.beard@natgeo.com. Happy trails!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

We’d like to hear from you! Tell us what you think of our emails by sharing your feedback in this short survey.

TAKE THE SURVEY

SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE TRAVEL

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: peter.hovis@gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Forward Party

Cinco De Mayo 🚗 Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

RJ Hamster

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Should you take a genetic test for breast cancer?

Should you take a genetic test for breast cancer?

Share this:

Like this:

Related articles