Basser Quoted on Marie Claire and MedCityNews for BRCA Expertise

The Basser Center for BRCA Research's executive director Susan Domchek, MD and Abramson Cancer Center genetic counselor Jacquelyn Powers made headlines this week as major news outlets turned to Penn Medicine for an expert opinion. Read the headlines and quotes below: 

Marie Claire interviewed Domchek for an article about BRCA and Jolie’s decision:

Angelina Jolie: I had a double mastectomy

"We know from our research that having a prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy is the most effective way to for women who carry BRCA1/2 mutations to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, but that surgery does come with costs, especially around body image, which is understandably an important factor for women," says Domchek "That's why we're working to develop other ways to prevent cancer in these high-risk women — like vaccines and new medications — so that women someday have new, less invasive options." Read more at Marie Claire here.

Jacquelyn Powers was the go-to source for MedCityNews piece on Angelina Jolie’s decision to follow up her BRCA1 screening with a double mastectomy: Is Angelina Jolie’s Surgery a Logical Response to Genetic Test Results?

“I would say what is our gold standard is what’s in the family’s personal history that sets us down a certain path,” said Powers. “Women are more inclined to choose preventive surgery if they have lost someone close to them — that’s a big factor.” Read more at MedcityNews.com here.

For the latest information on BRCA research, 
screening and clinical trials from 
The Basser Research Center for BRCA,
visit the official webpage.