A woman with breast cancer is found to carry a mutation that predisposed her to her condition. Her two sisters and brother may also carry the mutation. Informing them of this would allow them to consider screening and perhaps take steps to prevent the onset of the disease or the passing of the mutation to their unborn children. Not informing them could mean the sisters will also develop breast cancer, as might the eventual daughter of the patient's brother. The patient is at liberty to tell her siblings that they might want to think about screening, but her doctors are not. Patient confidentiality laws prevent them. But is this morally right? Does the breaking of confidentiality outweigh the good that could be done by doctors informing the patient's relatives? Is it time to change patient confidentiality laws? The findings of a group of researchers have led its members to suggest that it is.
New guidelines issued by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) will allow doctors to disclose genetic information to relatives - even when patients object, if there are compelling medical reasons for doing so. The guidance, which comes into effect on 12 October, acknowledges that confidentiality is not always absolute; disclosing information about a genetic link to a disease may protect another individual from serious harm. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with a hereditary form of cancer, a doctor will now be able to inform relatives about the potential risk the genetic link could carry. Awareness of such a genetic risk could prompt investigation for the genetic mutation responsible and regular screening, thereby improving the chance of early detection and long-term prognosis.