whatever query is raised on the wonderful ?? BBS (thanks Gally!) there is always someone who can help (advice given recently re financial query saved me the cost of next season's ST - thanks Darfield!) Close relative diagnosed with cancer - she has a 'faulty' gene - her 4 children (20's and 30'S) advised to be tested - they have a 50/50 chance of having the gene and subsequently developing cancer at some point. My question - if they test positive do they have to disclose this on any job/insurance application they make although they may at the time have no health problems and would it affect their job prospects ? Many Health questionnaires have sort of 'catch-all' questions. If they test positive they will be monitored - question for any medics - TM - could they be regularly screened even if they didn't have the gene test. Paradoxically even if they test negative their children have a 25% of getting the cancer.
To answer the first part of the question, they will almost certainly have to declare it on an application for life insurance etc. Insurance contracts are "Contracts uberrimae fidei" - which means of the utmost good faith. No point trying to say it politely - if they have the faulty gene they are [statistically] more likely to die prematurely. That would make them unsuitable for an off the peg life insurance policy. It would probably rule them of critical illness cover for cancer too. Without the testing they will still have to declare a familial history which may prompt additional questions from the insurer too. I don't think employers would be entitled to ask about health on an employment application as that potentially opens them to disability discrimination claims. I am not an employment lawyer though, so take that with a pinch of salt.
Agree that it would impact on life insurance and need to be disclosed if found to have the gene. Shouldn't need to disclose on any employer basis unless something is affecting ability to work and needs occupational health involvement. Protected by the Equality Act. Re checks- would imagine screenings would be calculated in terms of risk. If do not have gene then seems no reason to screen more than any other healthy person. Just my opinions and personal experience...
Is that irrespective of partner? From what you describe it sounds as if they will still carry the risk in the form of a recessive allele, in which case wouldn't the 25% be dependent on their partner also having the same recessive allele?
If its BRCA1 or 2 gene then you don't have to disclose anything unless you had the test because you had Cancer or symptoms of it. https://www.curainsurance.co.uk/gui...urance-if-you-have-the-brca1-and-brca2-genes/ And certainly you don't have to inform your employers or perspective employers. Also, I think you only get the enhanced screening if you take the test, but not 100% on that one,
They (and anyone else) do not have disclose the potential of having a inherited illness,disease. In the past we used to talk about people having cancer markers",as a way of describing the potential to develop or have cancer in the future. However, technology and research has moved on now and is much more precise with better information. It does not necessarily follow that her children have or will develop a form of cancer. There are many tests for the different forms/types of cancers. For instance, someone may have developed Breast cancer, had surgery and treatment and recovered. Their daughter would have been tested but discovered to have a different gene which was more benign and less of a risk. Hopefully your relative will respond well to treatment and it doesn't follow that their children are discovered to be in the same risk. I wish her and her family and you too RT,all the best at this difficult time.
Thanks for the replies. The gene in question is MEN1 - only recently discovered - affects 1/30,000. The 4 children have been told they have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the endocrine cancer - pancreas and pitiuatry (sp) glands always affected. 10% of all cases are random - no 'faulty' gene found. They have also been told their children have a 25% of developing the disease even if they are clear. Not sure if this is right. MR - it's passed directly from one affected parent, - doesn't need 'faulty' genes from both parents as in Cystic Fibrosis. If the children are found to have the 'faulty' gene they will be screened regularly. The young children of someone with the 'faulty' gene will also be tested - and screened regularly. Has massive and challenging implications for all those involved - affected person is my sister-in-law.
I feel you mate, my 27 year old niece has just had an elective double mastectomy because of the brca 1 gene, her mum, my sister, had cancer twice by the time she was 35- over 80% chance of developing cancer before 65, my daughter has it, I have it, its supposed to be 50/50 chance of inheritance but its more like 80/20 in our family , my dads mum was dead at 50 from cancer, my dad has survived bowl cancer and both his brothers died from cancer before they were 60. Its ****.
