A breast cancer specialist is spearheading an initiative to identify Bermudian women carrying a hereditary mutation gene that makes them susceptible to developing breast or ovarian cancer at an early age.

Using the latest screening technology, it is now possible to identify the hereditary genes that place women in the most at risk category.

How many that may be in Bermuda is as yet unknown, but is likely to be around 15 to 20 family groups.

Similar programmes have proven a success in other parts of the world but have never been tried in Bermuda.

What makes it of particular interest to have the initiative operating here is the relative stability of the population and the ease with which it is possible to track family members within the confines of the Island.

Dr. Kevin Hughes, breast cancer specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said between five and ten percent of cancers are hereditary. Being able to identify those at risk can allow preventative treatments to be started and for signs of a developing cancer to be spotted at an early, more treatable stage.

?While it does not seem to be any more of an issue in Bermuda than elsewhere, in Bermuda what makes it easier to track the gene is the relatively constant population that makes it possible to track families,? said Dr. Hughes.

The Bermuda Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Programme has been launched with the intention of allowing women on the Island to be screened at a number of different levels. Those identified as being in the higher risk category, because of factors such as family history, can go on to have highly scientific laboratory testing done to precisely identify if they have the mutation genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

The highest level genetic laboratory testing is expensive, but by working with health insurance providers on the Island, Dr. Hughes and Partners HealthCare have secured their support.

The first screenings on the Island are due to start in October when Dr. Hughes will hold a clinic at the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association offices in Point Finger Road. The Association has been a key supporter of the initiative.

?The first screening will look to identify the families that appear susceptible to carrying the mutation genes,? he said.

Those identified as being at particular risk will go on for further testing, such as magnetic resonance imaging and will receive medical treatments designed to lessen the chance of cancer arising.

?The idea here is to identify the patients before the cancer occurs,? said Dr. Hughes.

How many families will be identified with the breast or ovarian cancer-causing mutation gene is unknown at the moment. It is though it may be only five, ten or 15 families.

?We have to find out how many families it is and that will be done in the next five years. If it is a small number of families, it will make the future testing much easier.?

Dr. Hughes added: ?Our programme is primarily a patient education and evaluation service. When we determine that a patient is at high risk, we will develop a plan of care in collaboration with her local doctor.

?Genetic testing, earlier mammography, and more frequent clinical exams will all be considered, depending upon the needs of the patient. Our goal is to identify patients at high risk, and to then take measures to either prevent cancer or find it at an earlier, more treatable stage.?

The Health Insurance Association of Bermuda is collaborating with the programme. Leslie Shane, Partners? Health Services Manager in Bermuda said: ?Genetic testing is a critical new component in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection and education can be life saving.?

Full details of the programme and its background will be included in a flyer to be distributed with in the coming weeks. Those wishing further information and details of how to get involved when the program starts in October should contact Leslie Shane by calling 238-3620 or e-mailing to lshanepartners.org