Confidentiality In Health Care Essay

Healthcare providers are faced with ethical dilemma every day. However, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) emphasizes on the ethical and legal value of confidentiality. While a provider has a duty to warning Rachel of the consequences the genetic testing information can have to her sister Kristin, the provider however, do not have a duty to breach Rachel’s confidentiality so as to warn Kristin directly. The obligation of the provider is to encourage Rachel to tell her sisters herself. Also, since Rachael is close to Lisa, the provider should encourage and ask for Rachael’s consent to involve Lisa in education about the BRCA1 and genetic testing. The provider can also refer them to a well-trained genetic counsellor who would give them in-depth genetic counselling and other information regarding the benefits of communicating the diagnosis, or the consequences of holding …show more content…
In breast cancer, cells in breast tissue grow and divide uncontrollably. The cells then form a mass or lump referred as a tumor. The tumor is categorized as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Breast cancer is further classified as non-invasive if it has not spread beyond the ducts or lobules commonly known as “in situ”. If not treated immediately, the cancer, then turns to be invasive, where abnormal cells from the ducts or lobules spread to nearby tissues. Through the immune system and blood stream, the invasive cancer spread to other parts of the body (Komen, 2015).
Role does the BRCA1 gene. According to Mandal (2013), the BRCA1 gene (breast cancer 1, early onset) acts as a tumor suppressor by preventing abnormal proliferation and alteration of cells. This is achieved by progressive repairing of the deoxyribonucleic acid DNA to ensure stability of genetic material in cells. It also plays a role in DNA transcription by modifying gene expression in response to cellular stress and DNA damage. (Mandal,