Since its establishment in 2008, the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation's (BBCIF) genetic research has found that more than one in four Bahamian women diagnosed with breast cancer also carry the mutated gene; an inherited gene that predisposes carriers to the disease. This ration of Bahamian carriers represents the highest incidence of the gene than anywhere in the world.
Recently, a team from the BBCIF led by the foundation's executive director, Melissa Major; Magan Trottier, a genetic counselor, and Kitiboni Adderley, a BBCIF volunteer, conducted testing for the BRCA gene, which predisposes carriers to breast cancer in Eleuthera.
In collaboration with the One Eleuthera Foundation they visited Eleuthera for a three-day period, with stops in the Bluff, Palmetto Point and Tarpum Bay to do testing on 125 women at the cost of $200 per test for the gene mutation --120 women, aged 20 to 76, participated in the testing. Most cited a family history of breast cancer as their main reason for participating.
One Eleuthera Foundation team member and Eleuthera Breast Cancer Coordinator Maisie Pinder said the response exceeded her expectations. She said that the women of Eleuthera are becoming more proactive and the responses showed that their efforts were not in vain.
The Eleuthera genetic testing exercise was made possible by the support of the One Eleuthera Foundation, which donated $12,000 to the cause, and the Windermere Foundation, which provided $8,000. The genetic testing exercise was also supported by the Rotary clubs of The Bahamas, with a $5,000 donation.
The BBCIF research goal is to provide annual testing for 2,000 Bahamian women who do not have breast cancer in order to establish an incidence rate for the BRCA gene mutation. According to the BBCIF, establishing such a rate would be a significant scientific milestone, allowing the medical and cancer support communities to develop appropriate preventative strategies and other measures for the Bahamian population. The BBCIF's research and testing is headed by Dr. Steven Narod from Women's College Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario.
Established in 2008, the BBCIF's research and testing work is a critical component of the organization's mission objective to support the early detection of breast cancer in women and the improvement of breast cancer care in The Bahamas.
The Eleuthera testing represented the first time that the genetic testing was done outside of New Providence.
According to Major, the BBCIF wants to conduct testing and counseling in at least six other Family Islands --Abaco, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma and Grand Bahama. The next island they visit will depend on funding.
"Once funding becomes available, we would like to visit a different Family Island at least once every quarter, and repeat the process with testing and education," said the executive director.
As for Eleuthera, Major said that the BBCIF hoped to follow up the exercise with more education sessions on the island, including breast health workshops. The counseling component of the testing exercise she said is particularly important.
"The test is very psychological, considering that persons must wait months before results are received. So the counseling component explains what a person's options would be and the best next steps, should they be found to be a carrier of the gene," she said.
Research has found that women with the mutated BRCA gene are 85 percent likely to develop breast cancer with a 40 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Organizations and individuals interested in supporting genetic testing in the Family Islands may contact the BBCIF at 242 322 7465 or by email at info@bbcif.com. They may also visit the BBCIF website at www.bbcif.com.
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