Waco resident Don Cooper is a 74-year-old prostate cancer patient who has learned a particularly interesting thing about the way cancer works in the human body.
In Cooper’s case his physician, Texas Oncology’s Dr. Carl Chakmakjian, discovered Cooper had a gene primarily known as the “breast cancer gene” because of its strong association with breast cancer.
“BRCA gene mutations are not commonly diagnosed in the setting of prostate cancer,” Chakmakjian explained. “I believe this to be the case because of lack of awareness and lack of testing in appropriate individuals.”
The doctor went on to explain that while the gene mutations are certainly associated with breast cancer, these days it is also known that this gene is associated with other malignancies including ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, pancreas cancer and melanoma.
It was 12 years ago when Cooper discovered he had prostate cancer after a routine PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test done by his primary care physician. That triggered a biopsy.
“The first treatment was surgical removal of the prostate,” Cooper said. “About two years later, I had radiation treatments when it was determined that the surgery did not get rid of the cancer.”
To be exact, it was 42 radiation treatments.
Then, a few years later, the cancer returned and he started hormone suppression treatment, which he is still doing today in addition to a clinical trial.
Gene Mutation
Chakmakjian said that while men are generally left out of the discussion around the BRCA gene mutation, men with the gene have a 20% lifetime risk for developing prostate cancer. He added that evaluating cancer risk through genetic testing can help foster early detection and save lives.
“The BRCA gene mutations were first discovered in the 1990s,” Chakmakjian said. “Its association with prostate cancer has become more recognized in the last 10 to 15 years. It is believed that close to 1 million people in the United States are estimated to have a BRCA mutation, but less than 10% are aware that they are a mutation carrier.”
Cooper had the gene testing done when Dr. Chakmakjian asked him about a year ago if he would be interested in genetic testing.
“He indicated that they are finding more connections between genetics and cancer,” Cooper said. “I agreed to do it. They tested 85 genes, and I was found to have just one gene of concern — BRCA2. My two daughters have been tested, but my son has opted not to get tested now. One daughter tested negative for a BRCA gene mutation, and one tested positive.”
As for what can be done in the future for those who want to determine if they might have this gene, Cooper says testing is imperative.
In regard to Cooper’s ongoing treatment Chakmakjian is keeping an eye on the progression of the cancer through testing to determine what will be done next.
“We determined about two-plus years ago that the cancer has metastasized to my spine,” Cooper said. “What I have learned is to take every day at a time. It helps to find a good support group.”
Getting Support
Cooper participates in a group with other prostate cancer patients in Austin and also points out he knows of no history of prostate cancer in his family.
“I have obviously learned that I have the BRCA2 mutation in the family,” he said, offering not only advice to other patients regarding having the testing done, but also that one should “find a doctor who you trust and will be honest with you; be sure to get your PSA tested early and often and educate yourself.”
Chakmakjian offered additional advice.
“If an individual is known to have the BRCA gene mutation, then they must be very vigilant about cancer screening with their physician because of their increased risk of malignancy,” he said.
As an oncologist, Chakmakjian says the diagnosis of cancer in the earliest stage possible is important because that will lead to an improved outcome.
“Treatment for BRCA-associated prostate cancer is being studied in clinical trials,” the doctor said. “My hope is that Mr. Cooper will be eligible for one of those trials when he needs it.”
Considerations
To take that a step further Chakmakjian suggests — just as Cooper did — that people think about BRCA gene mutation testing under any of the following situations:
- If they get cancer diagnosed at a young age.
- If multiple types of cancer occur in one individual.
- If cancer develops in paired organs such as both breasts or ovaries.
- If multiple family members have the same type of cancer.
- If an individual develops a rare cancer such as male breast cancer.
“If you are diagnosed with a BRCA mutation, then first-degree relatives should be tested,” Chakmakjian cautioned. “If an individual is diagnosed with a BRCA mutation, each of their children will have a 50% chance of having inherited that mutation and both men and women can have a BRCA mutation.”
Cooper’s gene mutation was diagnosed via blood testing at Texas Oncology.
“Genetic testing is performed through bloodwork,” Chakmakjian said. “Not everyone needs to be tested. However, it is important for individuals who are deemed appropriate for testing do so.”
He said Texas Oncology’s genetic risk evaluation and testing program offers in-depth cancer-risk evaluations to the appropriate patients.
Cooper, who met Chakmakjian as a patient of Texas Oncology, said his oncologist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where he previously lived highly recommended the Waco doctor “and I am very glad that he did.”
Read the full story at Waco Today.