A sad reflection

THE announcement by Angelina Jolie that she had preventative mastectomies after genetic testing revealed she has a gene which gives her an 87% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, has highlighted the significance of this situation for many Irish women.

The issue for women who may find themselves in the same position, is timely access to genetic services.

The National Centre for Medical Genetics (NCMG), based in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital (OLCHC) in Crumlin provides a clinical and laboratory genetic service for those affected by, or at risk of, a genetic condition.