Freelance journalist Sarah Bridge brings Spark a look at the intersection of medical technology and the deeply emotional experiences it can bring. In Sarah Bridge’s family, an incredibly high number of women have had breast cancer — four out of five of her grandfather’s sisters, for example. And in her mother’s generation, the disease continues to spread. As medical technology has advanced, tests for a genetic predisposition have become possible. But these tests have opened a pandora’s box of questions for the women in Sarah’s family.
A shorter version of this documentary will air on the September 19 & 22 episode of Spark, but you can hear an extended version below, or download the MP3. [runs 24:00]
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A really touching an interesting piece. Wonderful to see the human side of genetic testing, and to hear from the perspective of multiple women. Thank you!
This issue also arises in pregnancy. I was recently offered: first, a blood screen that would show whether the baby had an elevated risk of Down syndrome (among other issues); second, a follow-up ultrasound if the blood screen came up positive, which would look for physical markers of Down syndrome; and third, amniocentesis, a procedure with a small risk of miscarriage which incorporates a genetic testing component and could give a definitive answer about whether or not the baby had Down syndrome. These are standard tests offered to every pregnant woman in my region.
It was difficult for my husband and me to decide whether we wanted any of these tests. One of the reasons it was such a complex decision is we weren't only deciding if we wanted genetic testing, we were deciding if we wanted to be given information that might lead us to genetic testing.
Hello Sarah
I am a parent of ABB, one of your five Halifax house mates. I heard your show on CBC today and I must say you did a really good job. Articulate, and well spoken without the usual hype of the fund raising crowd. Congratulations on a good job. The topic obviously is difficult, but you did an excellent job of giving a human and humane side to this story. I learned a lot from your work and I think and I have a much greater appreciation of issues that women have to feel when faced with even the possibility of this type of cancer. I wish you well in your career and for a very healthy life. You did well Sarah, you deserve to be proud.