Date : June, 01 , 2010 Publication : 0 - The Oprah Magazine Page Number: 66;67
How Healthy
Are Your Genes?
You inherited your
grandmother's
eyes, but did she
also pass on her
osteoporosis?
Knowing which
diseases run
in your family
could potentially
save your life.
By SUSAN HAYDEN
~"W" ~^fl
^M
FllEN I THINK
maf my family
/
tree, 'i think
of
black-and%/
white portraits
of
sombrelooking people with little connection
to me, save for a surname and the odd
facial feature. What I never considered - until I started research for this
article, that is - was that the D N A
responsible for the fact that my
2-year-old daughter looks uncannily
like her grandmother might carry
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other, hidden surprises - such as
a predisposition to fatal disease.
An awareness of familial conditions
can serve as an important diagnostic
too! in establishing one's propensity
for developing certain illnesses. And
advances in genetic testing over the
past few decades give us t he opportunity to take preventative measures,
thereby safeguarding our health and
potentially prolonging our lives.
T o find out what health skeletons
lurk in my ancestral closet, I interviewed my mother, and the result was
sobering: While I have always known
that my maternal grandfather died of
cancer, I didn't know that his sister
did, too - nor that her daughter (my
mother's cousin) died of breast cancer
at an extremely young age. In my
mother's family there is also a high
prevalence of obesity, coupled with
its dangerous spin-offs - diabetes,
hypertension and arteriosclerosis. My
father's side o f the family fares even
worse - alcoholism, depression and,
again, the dreaded cancer crop up
among my aunts and second cousins.
Date : June, 01 , 2010 Publication : 0 - The Oprah Magazine Page Number: 66;67
While 1 am fairly slim, prioritise exercise and follow a much healthier
diet than the women in my mother's
family, our conversation leaves me
wondering whether I am genetically
doomed to follow in their footsteps.
I decided 1 didn't want to follow the
same path. It's traumatic having two
hcalt hy breasts removed, but it's much
worse to get cancer and die young,
like our grandmother, aunts and
cousin did."
4
PREVENTION IS
KNOWLEDGE AS POWER
BETTER THAN CURE
"A breakthrough in South Africa was
As professor Ben Page, head of ana- the establishment of a rogue gene retomy and histology at Stellenbosch sponsible for young, fit Afrikaners
University, explains, "while many dis- suddenly dying of heart disease." says
eases arc lifestyle-derived, there arc Page. "The discovery of this gene
also many that are inherited, such as means that families in the affected
cancer, diabetes and heart disease. population can now receive genetic
Genetic testing can improve risk esti- screening. The onset of the disease can
mation in families with a strong family be controlled through diet, exercise,
history of breast cancer. An affected not smoking and healthy living."
member of the family would need to
Page explains that genetic obesity
be tested first (tofindthe genetic cause has links with poor metabolism and
in the particular family). If a mutation psychological problems, while obesity
is identified, the unaffected family and diabetes are correlated. Nosipho,
members can be tested to see if they 32, watched diabetes ravage her mothinherited the gene."
er's body, and was determined not to
Genetic counselling is a relatively suffer the same fate. "My mom loves
new field in South Africa. Frieda food and has a sedentary lifestyle, but
Loubscr, the only genetic counsellor the effect on her health has been devin private practice in Cape Town, astating. My doctor explained that
helps individuals understand what diabetes is multifactorial - a combitheir chances arc of developing a cer- nation of genes and lifestyle. She gave
tain genetic disease, and advises them me an eating plan that focuses on eaton a course of action. As she explains, ing low-GI foods and plenty of fruit
"the field of genetics is complicated, and vegetables, and I exercise at least
with many factors to consider. Genetic three times a week. I feel lucky that
counsellors provide the necessary ex- I have the chance to live differently."
planations, advice and support. When
Having a predisposition to a cerpatients are faced with difficult and tain disease does not equate to a life
life-changing decisions, a proper un- sentence. On the contrary: Having
derstanding of the facts is important. this knowledge gives you the opporThis is where 1 come in."
tunity to take action and makcchoiccs
I-oubscr counsels women like that minimise future risk. As Loubscr
Nicole, 27, whose family history and explains, "one of the most useful tools
genetic testing indicated an 80 per- to assess risk comes from the simple
cent chance of developing cancer. As act ofgathering a comprehensive famNicole explains, "when my sister, ily history. This should always be the
Caroline," discovered a malignant starting point when considering gelump in her breast at 35, she insisted netic testing, as the result of the test
that I undergo a genetic test. Nobody should be interpreted in the context
knew why the women in my father's of the family history. Kcepinga record
family died young, until Caroline and of these facts for the next generation
I tested positive for the cancer gene. can help your family make informed
My doctor advised me to undergo and proactive decisions." DD
a bilateral mastectomy as a preventative measure. At first I didn't want 'Name has been withheld.
to do it, but after I saw what Caroline Susan llayden is a Gape Town-based freewent through during chemotherapy, lance writer.
If It Runs in
Your Family
What do you do if you discover that
you are at risk ol cancer, diabetes,
heart disease or osteoporosis?
CANCER: As Loubser explains, only
5 to 10 percent of breast cancers
are due to inherited factors, and
late-onset cancer does not usually
have a strong genetic basis.
Warning signs are if the cancer
occurred at a young age or if tour
or more family members under
the age of 60 have had the disease.
A consultation with your GP will tell
you whether or not your family
history warrants a referral to
a genetic counsellor.
DIABETES Although genes and
ethnicity are risk factors for this
disease, they are not the only
determinants of whether an
individual develops diabetes.
Staying active, maintaining
a healthy weight and a balanced
diet can help postpone or prevent
type 2 diabetes. If you experience
unusual thirst, frequent urination,
tingling in your hands and/or
feet and blurred vision - signs
of diabetes - consult a doctor.
HEART DISEASE: Heart disease is
a broad term and it has genetic and
lifestyle components, says Loubser.
If heart disease runs in your family,
following a healthy diet, cutting
out saturated fat and not smoking
can minimise your chances of
developing certain types of heart
disease. Genetic screening tests
that assist In determining these
risks are available in South Africa.
OSTEOPOROSIS: Measuring
bone density enables doctors
to determine the rate of bone
loss and detect osteoporosis
before a fracture occurs, if an
individual has a family history of
osteoporosis, exercise, calcium
and vitamin D are recommended.
zoio
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