ibs.GRANADA researchers awarded by the Antonio Chamorro-Alejandro Otero Research Chair of the University of Granada
The award-winning work provides a historical review of the main ethical issues related to genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 and how they have evolved, along with advances in scientific knowledge and technology.
Dafina Petrova, researcher in the Cancer Epidemiology group at the Granada Biosanitary Research Institute (ibs.GRANADA), Maite Cruz, professor at the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP) and María José Sánchez, professor at the EASP and scientific director of the ibs. GRANADA have obtained the "Antonio Chamorro-Alejandro Otero Research Chair" award from the University of Granada, endowed with 2.000 euros. The Antonio Chamorro-Alejandro Otero Research Chair at the University of Granada rewards works in the field of obstetrics, gynecology and endocrinology and is one of the six prizes awarded by the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery of Eastern Andalusia and the RAMAO Foundation. The award ceremony took place during the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 Academic Year that took place in the Assembly Hall of the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery of Eastern Andalusia, in Granada.
Mutations in the genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The implementation of tests for the detection of mutations in these genes in clinical practice set a precedent, both medical and ethical. The award-winning work makes a historical review of the main ethical problems related to the BRCA1/2 tests during the 25 years that they have been available to the public, among which are the distribution of the test for clinical use, the choice to undergo the test and the reception and communication of its results. Over the years, the complexity of ethical debates has increased considerably, due both to advances in the method of performing the tests, and to the incorporation of BRCA1/2 tests in whole genome sequencing panels. and that tests be sold freely to the general public.
Multidisciplinary ethical discussion is necessary to guide not only individual decision-making that these tests may pose, but also social and medical practices in accordance with the new technologies available and the psychological, social, and health outcomes of people affected by mutations. BRCA.
About the research group
The ibs.GRANADA Cancer Epidemiology research group, led by Dr. María José Sánchez Pérez, was created within the framework of the Granada Cancer Registry, whose activity began in 1985. It has researchers with extensive training and experience in different areas : oncology, cancer epidemiology, statistics, health economics, environmental epidemiology, public health, anthropology, and psychology. They have participated in multicenter research projects, both national and international, related to etiology, medical care and survival of cancer patients, environmental epidemiology, and health economics. His main lines of research are the geographic distribution of cancer and spatial risk analysis, health economics, environmental exposures and cancer risk, risk factors in cancer and other chronic diseases, nutrition and cancer, population-based cancer registries. and descriptive epidemiology of cancer, health outcomes, use of health services, and variability of clinical practice in patients with cancer; and epidemiological surveillance, cancer control, and socioeconomic inequalities.
More information about the group at https://www.ibsgranada.es/grupos-de-investigacion/a17-epidemiologia-cancer/
Bibliographic reference:
Petrova D; Cross M; Sanchez MJ. BRCA1/2 testing for genetic susceptibility to cancer after 25 years: A scoping review and a primer on ethical implications. Breast. 2022 Feb; 61: 66-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2021.12.005