Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
06:42
Optimization of Breast Biopsy and Mastectomy Sample Collection Procedures for Biobanking, Personalized Medicine, and Research Applications
Published on: September 2, 2025
634
Breast Cancer Risk Estimation and Personal Insurance: A Qualitative Study Presenting Perspectives from Canadian
Gratien Dalpé1, Ida Ngueng Feze1, Shahad Salman1
1Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill UniversityMontreal, QC, Canada.
Frontiers in Genetics
|October 7, 2017
Summary
Women fear genetic discrimination by insurers, impacting their willingness to undergo genetic testing for breast cancer risk. Both patients and decision-makers desire clearer communication about insurability risks.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Personalized Medicine
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Genetic stratification in personalized medicine aids breast cancer risk prediction.
- Concerns exist regarding third-party access to genetic information, particularly by insurers.
- Genetic discrimination (GD) may lead to differential treatment, higher premiums, or coverage denial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate women's perspectives on genetic discrimination and insurability in Quebec.
- To explore institutional issues related to insurers' use of genetic information through decision-maker interviews.
- To assess the impact of potential genetic discrimination on genetic screening uptake.
Main Methods:
- Survey of women in Quebec without a breast cancer diagnosis.
- 14 semi-structured interviews with Quebec-based decision-makers.
- Analysis of five key issues: reluctance for genetic testing, insurer interest, disclosure duties, pre-testing impact communication, and data status.
Main Results:
- Participants expressed reluctance towards genetic screening due to insurability concerns.
- Insurers' interest in genetic data and the duty to disclose were significant issues.
- Both surveyed women and interviewed decision-makers acknowledged concerns about genetic discrimination.
- A need for improved communication tools regarding insurability risks was identified.
Conclusions:
- Genetic discrimination poses a significant concern for individuals considering genetic testing.
- Enhanced communication strategies are crucial in clinical settings to address insurability risks.
- Findings on genetic discrimination concerns may be applicable across the Canadian context.
Keywords:
Canadabreast cancergenetic discriminationgenetic testinginformed consentinsurabilitypersonal insuranceriskMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
793
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
793
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
491
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
491
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
6.2K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
6.2K
02:59Cancer Prevention
8.2K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
8.2K
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
2.3K
Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
2.3K
01:20Actuarial Approach
330
The actuarial approach, a statistical method originally developed for life insurance risk assessment, is widely used to calculate survival rates in clinical and population studies. This method accounts for participants lost to follow-up or those who die from causes unrelated to the study, ensuring a more accurate representation of survival probabilities.
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
330