Ill. Medicaid To Cover Testing For Genes That Increase Risk For Breast, Ovarian Cancer

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Ovarian Cancer
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 7:00 PST

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Illinois officials announced last week that the state's Medicaid program will now cover genetic testing and counseling for women with a high risk of developing ovarian and/or breast cancer, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The test, which detects genetic mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, only will be covered for women who are at high risk because of a strong family history of breast cancer or a previous cancer diagnosis. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who have mutations to the BRCA genes are three to seven times more likely than other women to develop breast cancer.

Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich, who pushed for the coverage, said that by having knowledge of their genetic status, women with BRCA mutations can "take proactive steps to be able to prevent ovarian cancer or a recurrence of breast cancer," such as choosing to have their breasts or ovaries removed (Thomas, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/10).

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