![\"Bellette](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dd5e7bf2bfd08efe64fd78b36441452cd11d6dfd.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cIt was a bit of a shock. But they went through everything in a lot of detail, and I was sent all this stuff that I needed to take to my GP. The information I was given was very helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The researchers found that one in 50 of their participants \u2013 aged between 18 and 40 \u2013 had a high genetic risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer or heart disease.<\/p>\n
Bellette was one of those individuals. Specifically, researchers found a variant of the BRCA2 gene, which is linked to far higher rates of breast and ovarian cancer in women.<\/p>\n
For the Tasmanian, everything was starting to fall into place. Her mother\u2019s breast cancer, when it was discovered, had already spread to her ribs in between regular mammogram appointments.<\/p>\n
Bellette was determined for the same thing not to happen to her. In March this year, she had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy \u2013 the surgical removal of both breasts \u2013 followed by what\u2019s called a DIEP flap reconstruction, a type of breast reconstruction using the patient\u2019s own tissue from another part of the body.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI had it all through the public system. It didn\u2019t cost me anything. I was shocked at how quick I got in \u2013 I think I waited 90 days and then had my surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first surgery was 13 hours. But I healed really well. You wouldn\u2019t even know now. I feel great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bellette says she\u2019s incredibly grateful to have been able to take part in the study, which is currently undergoing peer review. The Tasmanian had not been eligible for genetic testing through Medicare, even though her mother was receiving cancer treatment, because that cancer had not yet been linked to inherited risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been able to control what happens,\u201d Bellette says. \u201cMy mum\u2019s family is also huge, so there\u2019s so many aunties and uncles now getting tested. It\u2019s probably going to prevent a lot of people from possibly getting cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monash University\u2019s Dr Jane Tiller, the study\u2019s co-lead, said Bellette\u2019s story illustrated why Australia needed to widen access to publicly funded genetic testing for certain diseases.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to find people ahead of time,\u201d Tiller says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to test 100,000 people and look at the evidence on how we roll this out to the broader population, in the future, as a DNA screening program.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Bellette flew to Canberra last week to speak to politicians about her experience. She is pictured here with Dr Jane Tiller from Monash University.
\nCredit: Alex Ellinghausen<\/p>\n
Tiller stressed that while people might be desperate to find out their personal genetic information, it was important for publicly funded DNA screening to focus on conditions that are very high risk and treatable if caught early enough.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, researchers run into ethical issues, such as the effects on someone\u2019s mental health if they learn they have a very high risk of developing early onset dementia, but there is nothing that can be done to prevent it.<\/p>\n
Alongside the BRCA1\/2 genes, Tiller would like the federal government to expand access to genetic testing for Lynch syndrome \u2013 associated with higher risks of bowel cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer \u2013 and familial hypercholesterolemia, linked to genetic high cholesterol and risks of heart attack from an early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people want to take preventative steps for their health. We would rather that be through a publicly funded screening program than people getting dodgy genetic tests from overseas because they can\u2019t get them at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
The University of Sydney\u2019s Dr Brooke Nickel, who is not associated with Tiller\u2019s research and has previously written about the risks of overdiagnosis, said a genetic testing regime that was too broad had the potential to pile additional pressure on the health system\u2019s limited resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is really important to focus testing where it really makes a difference,\u201d Nickel said.<\/p>\n
During the previous term of parliament, the Albanese government promised to stop life insurance companies from using DNA screening results to discriminate against customers. That draft legislation is now expected to come before MPs in the coming months.<\/p>\n
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A spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler said the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing was reviewing Monash University\u2019s expanded DNA screening proposal.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Bellette\u2019s surgical journey isn\u2019t finished.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get my ovaries out when I\u2019m 40, and that should be the last surgery that I need.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also wants to be a role model for her two daughters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a 50-50 chance they could carry the gene. When they\u2019re 18, they can choose to do the testing and take action if they wish to.\u201d<\/p>\n