EXPERTS say the Angelina Jolie effect is behind a sudden spike in testing of Queensland women for the so-called breast cancer gene.
A year after the Hollywood star revealed she carried a faulty BRCA1 gene, the first figures show there was a 41 per cent rise last year in testing of women with a family history of the gene.
There was also a 15 per cent increase in general screening. Ange's Brisbane assistant spills beans
Brad and Ange's private GoMA visit
The difference is being directly attributed to the high profile of Jolie, who discovered she had inherited the gene after losing her mother to ovarian cancer.
The actor underwent a drastic preventive double mastectomy early last year to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer.
A total of 398 Queensland women were tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the public system last year, which was 111 per cent higher than when first introduced in 2007.
Mutations were picked up in about 20 per cent of those screened who did not have a known family link.
Since 2007 there have been 1842 Queensland women screen and targeted. Queensland Health spent $500,000 in 2012-2013 on the expensive procedure which involves a blood test and DNA analysis.
A similar procedure in the private system can cost up to $2000 with no Medicare rebate. But women must first see a genetic counsellor or clinical geneticist to be eligible, DNA samples are analysed at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at Pathology Queensland.
Private genetic counsellor Andrea Hayward, from Genesis Clinical Genetics, said Jolie's experience had jolted many women into taking charge of their health.
The highest increase in testing was among women who already had a relative with known BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations but had not been screened yet.
"Sometimes women just find it difficult to have the tests or some people just don't want to know. Some might not realise they have a family link because they've never discussed it," said Ms Hayward.
"Angelina's experience brought it to the fore."
Young mum Tamara Allcorn was almost certain she carried the faulty gene after her sister Jessica developed breast cancer at 27.
Blood tests confirmed that both sisters and their mother had the mutations. At first Ms Allcorn was content to monitor her breasts for changes, but a scare convinced her to have both breasts removed this year at only 26.
Later this year, the mother to Brindy, 2, will also have her ovaries removed. Having just left hospital on the Sunshine Coast, Ms Allcorn said she was "very happy" with her decision.
"Because I carried the gene, I had an 87 per cent chance of getting breast cancer and an 82 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer," she said.
"Now my chances are the same as everyone else. There's no cloud over my head. It's a lovely feeling." Brad's hair apparent in Brissie
Meanwhile, Brad Pitt's new war-era hairdo, revealed at last month's Screen Actors Guild awards, definitely turned heads, but it looks like Brisbane men have already beaten him to the punch.
Forget the unkempt hair of yesterday, male grooming is back in a big way. Combining cleanly shaved sides with a rugged slicked-back fringe, the vintage undercut is Brisbane's hottest hairstyle.
Bare Bones Barbershop co-owner Jeremy Warren said cleaner styles had come full circle from their war-era days.
"Male grooming has definitely become cool again," Mr Warren said. "Messy, shaggy hair used to be in, but now people are making an effort with their appearance."
On average, 90 per cent of Bare Bones' clients are requesting sharp lines, hard parts and close shaves .
"Long hair was killing us, but now barbershops across Brisbane are alive again," he said.
Jimmy Rod's Barbershop owner Jimmy O'Brien agreed war-era haircuts had overtaken dishevelled styles.
"It's a little bit grungy and alternative, but you can still put on a suit and go to work," Mr O'Brien said.
The style originated in the 1920s when men smoothed their hair over shaved sides before a hard day's work.
Mr Warren said while an undercut could set you back $80 in a salon, barbershops were the place to be for style and affordability.
"We charge roughly $30 as it's the main haircut we get here, so we try to make our standard haircut a specialist haircut," he said.
"Everybody is different, but barbershops are always cheaper and it's the little details that count."
Mr O'Brien agreed.
"Brisbane is the home of barbering. We only do men's cutting so when it comes to the true art form of men's hair, you go to a barber."
Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1oxoav8
A year after the Hollywood star revealed she carried a faulty BRCA1 gene, the first figures show there was a 41 per cent rise last year in testing of women with a family history of the gene.
There was also a 15 per cent increase in general screening. Ange's Brisbane assistant spills beans
Brad and Ange's private GoMA visit
The difference is being directly attributed to the high profile of Jolie, who discovered she had inherited the gene after losing her mother to ovarian cancer.
The actor underwent a drastic preventive double mastectomy early last year to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer.
A total of 398 Queensland women were tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the public system last year, which was 111 per cent higher than when first introduced in 2007.
Mutations were picked up in about 20 per cent of those screened who did not have a known family link.
Since 2007 there have been 1842 Queensland women screen and targeted. Queensland Health spent $500,000 in 2012-2013 on the expensive procedure which involves a blood test and DNA analysis.
A similar procedure in the private system can cost up to $2000 with no Medicare rebate. But women must first see a genetic counsellor or clinical geneticist to be eligible, DNA samples are analysed at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at Pathology Queensland.
Private genetic counsellor Andrea Hayward, from Genesis Clinical Genetics, said Jolie's experience had jolted many women into taking charge of their health.
The highest increase in testing was among women who already had a relative with known BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations but had not been screened yet.
"Sometimes women just find it difficult to have the tests or some people just don't want to know. Some might not realise they have a family link because they've never discussed it," said Ms Hayward.
"Angelina's experience brought it to the fore."
Young mum Tamara Allcorn was almost certain she carried the faulty gene after her sister Jessica developed breast cancer at 27.
Blood tests confirmed that both sisters and their mother had the mutations. At first Ms Allcorn was content to monitor her breasts for changes, but a scare convinced her to have both breasts removed this year at only 26.
Later this year, the mother to Brindy, 2, will also have her ovaries removed. Having just left hospital on the Sunshine Coast, Ms Allcorn said she was "very happy" with her decision.
"Because I carried the gene, I had an 87 per cent chance of getting breast cancer and an 82 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer," she said.
"Now my chances are the same as everyone else. There's no cloud over my head. It's a lovely feeling." Brad's hair apparent in Brissie
Meanwhile, Brad Pitt's new war-era hairdo, revealed at last month's Screen Actors Guild awards, definitely turned heads, but it looks like Brisbane men have already beaten him to the punch.
Forget the unkempt hair of yesterday, male grooming is back in a big way. Combining cleanly shaved sides with a rugged slicked-back fringe, the vintage undercut is Brisbane's hottest hairstyle.
Bare Bones Barbershop co-owner Jeremy Warren said cleaner styles had come full circle from their war-era days.
"Male grooming has definitely become cool again," Mr Warren said. "Messy, shaggy hair used to be in, but now people are making an effort with their appearance."
On average, 90 per cent of Bare Bones' clients are requesting sharp lines, hard parts and close shaves .
"Long hair was killing us, but now barbershops across Brisbane are alive again," he said.
Jimmy Rod's Barbershop owner Jimmy O'Brien agreed war-era haircuts had overtaken dishevelled styles.
"It's a little bit grungy and alternative, but you can still put on a suit and go to work," Mr O'Brien said.
The style originated in the 1920s when men smoothed their hair over shaved sides before a hard day's work.
Mr Warren said while an undercut could set you back $80 in a salon, barbershops were the place to be for style and affordability.
"We charge roughly $30 as it's the main haircut we get here, so we try to make our standard haircut a specialist haircut," he said.
"Everybody is different, but barbershops are always cheaper and it's the little details that count."
Mr O'Brien agreed.
"Brisbane is the home of barbering. We only do men's cutting so when it comes to the true art form of men's hair, you go to a barber."
Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1oxoav8