International Women’s Day – Prioritising Women’s Health for a Healthier Tomorrow

In 2013, one public disclosure transformed the global conversation around women’s health. When Angelina Jolie revealed in a New York Times op-ed that she carried a BRCA1 mutation and had chosen preventive surgery, international media — including BBC — amplified the story across continents. What followed was unprecedented: genetic testing appointments surged worldwide. The moment was later termed “The Angelina Jolie Effect.”

Even more than a decade later, that disclosure continues to be cited in medical literature as a turning point in public engagement with hereditary cancer testing.

But beyond headlines and celebrity attention, it marked something deeper — a shift from reactive treatment to preventive diagnostics.

What that announcement truly highlighted was the power of knowing.

Because behind every preventive decision lies a laboratory result.

Years later, in a diagnostic lab, a 41-year-old working professional with no significant family history presented with a small, painless breast lump detected during self-examination. Imaging was inconclusive. Clinically, she appeared low risk. Yet molecular analysis of her biopsy sample revealed a significant mutation that altered her treatment pathway entirely. Instead of delayed aggressive therapy, she received targeted intervention early — improving both prognosis and quality of life.

Two very different women.
Two different circumstances.
One common factor:

Early diagnostic insight.

And that is where modern women’s healthcare is quietly being reshaped — inside laboratories.

Understanding Women’s Unique Health Needs

Across their lifetime, women undergo continuous biological and hormonal transitions — adolescence, reproductive years, pregnancy, and menopause. Each stage carries distinct clinical risks and diagnostic considerations.

Conditions such as persistent high-risk HPV infections, hereditary cancer syndromes, and chromosomal abnormalities often progress silently. Symptoms may appear only when disease has advanced.

Preventive screening therefore becomes not just a recommendation — but a strategy.

In laboratory medicine, we often say:

“Early detection is not just diagnosis — it is prevention.”

A routine health check in an asymptomatic woman can uncover early abnormalities months or even years before clinical signs emerge, enabling simpler and more effective clinical management.

Cervical Cancer Screening – Detecting Risk Before Disease

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable malignancies when high-risk HPV genotypes are identified early.

Yet many women carrying oncogenic HPV strains show no symptoms.

Molecular HPV testing has therefore become central to screening programs worldwide.

The Abbott RealTime High Risk HPV Assay enables detection of 14 high-risk genotypes, while specifically identifying HPV 16 and HPV 18 — the two genotypes most strongly associated with cervical carcinogenesis.

Complementing such platforms, Certest’s HPV molecular assays (SP01, SP02, and HPV panels) provide standardized and sensitive genotype detection suitable for varied laboratory environments.

Additionally, the NeoDx CervSure range strengthens cervical cancer screening workflows through optimized molecular detection systems designed for high-throughput and routine diagnostic settings.

By integrating validated HPV platforms, laboratories enable:

Comprehensive detection within streamlined workflows
Reduced turnaround time
Improved patient stratification
Faster clinical decision-making
Strengthened national screening efforts

Cervical cancer prevention is no longer limited to cytology alone — it is now driven by molecular precision.

Molecular Oncology – Precision Insights in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Cancer management has evolved from morphology-based diagnosis to molecular-guided therapy.

Two patients with similar histological findings may respond very differently to treatment due to underlying genetic differences.

The PIK3CA gene, part of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling pathway, plays a key role in tumor growth and survival. Mutations in this gene are frequently observed in breast and ovarian cancers and influence therapeutic response.

The EntroGen Real-Time PCR PIK3CA Mutation Analysis Kit enables sensitive detection of clinically relevant mutations, particularly in exons 9 and 20, using allele-specific PCR technology.

This supports:

Identification of actionable mutations
Targeted therapy selection
Personalized treatment planning
Rapid and reliable reporting within routine molecular workflows

Precision oncology is no longer optional — it is becoming standard practice.

Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment with MLPA

While sequencing effectively detects point mutations, copy number variations require complementary methodologies.

Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) provides a reliable approach for identifying deletions and duplications across multiple genes simultaneously.

In hereditary breast and ovarian cancer assessment, MLPA supports evaluation of:

BRCA1
BRCA2
CHEK2
PALB2
ATM
TP53
RAD50
RAD51C
RAD51D

Advanced digitalMLPA technology further enables simultaneous quantification of hundreds of genomic targets within a single reaction.

This empowers laboratories to:

Detect clinically relevant copy number changes
Perform multi-gene hereditary panels
Support family risk assessment
Guide preventive surveillance strategies
Strengthen long-term patient management

Hereditary risk testing represents preventive medicine at its most informed.

Cytogenetics in Prenatal and Reproductive Care

Women’s healthcare also extends into prenatal and reproductive diagnostics.

Chromosomal abnormalities may not present immediate clinical symptoms but can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes.

Cytogenetic analysis through karyotyping remains essential in detecting such chromosomal alterations early in pregnancy.

Reliable culture media, reagents, and imaging systems ensure accurate chromosomal evaluation — supporting clinicians and families in making informed decisions.

Role of DSS Imagetech in Women’s Health Diagnostics

Abbott Molecular provides RealTime HPV molecular assays and Vysis FISH probes supporting cervical cancer screening and oncology biomarker detection. Certest’s HPV molecular assays (SP01, SP02, and HPV panels) and the NeoDx CervSure range further strengthen standardized and sensitive HPV genotype detection across diverse laboratory environments.

EntroGen supports mutation and methylation analysis through the PIK3CA Mutation Analysis Kit for Real-Time PCR, BRCA Complete Expanded Panel, and targeted NGS hotspot assays, enabling detection of clinically actionable somatic and hereditary mutations in breast, ovarian, cervical, and other solid tumors.

MRC Holland provides SALSA MLPA and digitalMLPA assays for copy number variation and hereditary cancer risk detection, including panels for BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, ATM, TP53, RAD51C/D, and other gynecologic oncology–relevant genes.

Agilent (Dako) and Vitro Master Diagnostica offer IHC antibodies and tumor markers including CA125, CEA, CA19.9, Inhibin, AFP, and others for histopathological evaluation of gynecological and breast malignancies.

Additionally, DSS Imagetech supports laboratories with cytogenetic reagents and imaging systems that strengthen molecular, IHC, FISH, and karyotyping workflows across India.

Through these collaborations, DSS Imagetech contributes to strengthening diagnostic infrastructure for women’s healthcare nationwide.

A Commitment That Goes Beyond One Day

International Women’s Day is more than recognition — it is responsibility.

It reminds us that women’s health must be prioritized not only in moments of awareness, but through consistent screening, accessible diagnostics, and informed clinical decision-making.

From HPV detection to hereditary cancer risk assessment, from molecular oncology to cytogenetics — the laboratory remains central to early intervention and better outcomes.

Because when women are empowered with knowledge about their health, they are empowered in life.

This Women’s Day, let us continue to support prevention, promote awareness, and strengthen diagnostics — for healthier women and a healthier tomorrow.

Clinical References & Further Reading

Guidelines & Public Health Resources

World Health Organization (WHO) – Cervical cancer prevention, screening, and HPV vaccination guidelines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer prevention resources
National Cancer Institute (NCI) – Breast and ovarian cancer genetics, molecular testing, and targeted therapy approaches

Selected Clinical Literature

Zardavas D, Phillips WA, Loi S. PIK3CA mutations in breast cancer: reconciling findings from preclinical and clinical data. Breast Cancer Research. 2014.
Loi S, et al. PIK3CA mutation impact on survival and treatment outcomes in breast cancer subgroups. Breast Cancer Research. 2011.
Liu et al. Frequency and spectrum of PIK3CA somatic mutations in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research. 2020.
Li et al. Meta-analysis of PIK3CA mutation status and outcomes with PI3K inhibitors in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Gupta et al. Clinical study on high-risk HPV genotype pathogenicity and cervical cancer risk. Infectious Agents and Cancer. 2025.

Literature on the “Angelina Jolie Effect”

Evans DG, et al. The impact of Angelina Jolie’s announcement on BRCA mutation testing and referrals. Breast Cancer Research. 2014.
Desai S, et al. Association between Angelina Jolie’s disclosure and increased BRCA testing rates in the United States. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2016.
James PA, et al. Celebrity health disclosures and population genetic testing uptake: The Angelina Jolie effect. Medical Journal of Australia. 2013.
Howard AF, et al. The Angelina Jolie effect: Contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy trends in patients at increased risk of breast cancer. 2021.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The Angelina Jolie Effect – One Year Later. 2014.
BBC News. Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy. 14 May 2013.

Technology & Product Information Sources

MRC Holland – MLPA and digitalMLPA assays for copy number variation and hereditary cancer testing:
https://www.mrcholland.com/products

EntroGen – Molecular oncology mutation analysis kits for breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer diagnostics:
https://entrogen.com/web4/products-2/?tx_product_cat=colorectal-cancer,breast-ovarian-cancer

• Certest – HPV molecular diagnostic solutions including SP01, SP02, and HPV panels:
  https://www.certest.es/viasure/
• NeoDx – HPV High-Risk Screening Real-Time PCR (CervSure range):
  https://www.neodx.in/hpv-high-risk-screening-real-time-pcr

About the Writer 

Ms Sohini Chatterjee is an Application Specialist – Clinical Diagnostics (Molecular), with more than 14 years of experience in the field. She collaborates closely with leading laboratories across East and North-East India, assisting in the implementation and optimization of molecular diagnostic workflows to ensure accurate and reliable results. Her expertise includes DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR assays, MLPA, clonality testing, and NGS-based assays, along with strong experience in technical training, troubleshooting, and laboratory quality management systems. She is also a certified internal auditor for ISO 15189:2012. Over the years, Sohini has developed strong, trust-based relationships with laboratory professionals, who appreciate her practical guidance, technical expertise, and dependable support. She firmly believes that beyond technology, empowering laboratories with knowledge, confidence, and collaborative support is essential for achieving meaningful diagnostic outcomes.

FAQ’s

1. Why is early screening important for women’s health?
   Many serious conditions, including cervical and hereditary breast cancers, develop without early symptoms. Regular screening helps detect risks early and improves treatment outcomes.
2. What is HPV and why is it important in cervical cancer screening?
   Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection. Certain high-risk HPV types are responsible for most cervical cancer cases, and molecular testing helps detect these strains early.
3. Which tests are commonly used to detect high-risk HPV?
   Molecular assays such as Abbott RealTime HPV testing, Certest HPV molecular panels (SP01, SP02, and HPV panels), and NeoDx CervSure real-time PCR systems help laboratories accurately identify high-risk HPV genotypes.
4. What are BRCA genes and why is genetic testing done for them?
   BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes involved in DNA repair. Certain inherited mutations in these genes increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, making genetic testing important for risk assessment and preventive care.
5. What is the “Angelina Jolie Effect”?
   After Angelina Jolie publicly shared her BRCA mutation and preventive surgery in 2013, awareness and demand for hereditary cancer testing increased worldwide. This surge became known as the “Angelina Jolie Effect.”
6. How can women take proactive steps toward better health?
   Regular health check-ups, awareness of family medical history, participation in screening programs, and timely consultation with healthcare professionals help ensure early detection and better long-term health.