Teen Rejected by British Army for Family History of Breast Cancer
Seventeen-year-old Carys Holmes was denied entry into the British Army after it was revealed she had a family history of breast cancer.
Despite passing all of her selection tests, Carys was rejected because she has a 50% chance of inheriting a genetic mutation from her mother, who carries the BRCA1 gene.
Carys has not been formally tested for the gene mutation.
Carys underwent extensive training for the challenging three-day selection process. Her dedication paid off, as she excelled in both fitness and cognitive evaluations. However, near the end of the selection process, she was informed that her application was rejected due to her family's "extensive" history of breast cancer.
“I quit my job to train for this,” Carys told the BBC, expressing her devastation. “I felt crushed, like everything I worked for was gone in an instant. I put so much dedication into getting in, and it felt like something so small ruined it all. It really upset me.”
The Brca1 gene, carried by both her mother, Rachael, and her late aunt, significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. While Carys's aunt succumbed to the disease, her mother is currently undergoing treatment.
Seeking clarity, Carys and Rachael consulted NHS genetic counselors to assess the likelihood of Carys developing breast cancer should she inherit the gene. The counselors estimated her risk by age 30 as follows:
- 1.9% if she has the gene
- 0.1% if she does not
Despite these findings, Carys's appeal against the Army's decision was unsuccessful.
This case raises significant questions about the criteria used by military organizations in their recruitment processes, especially regarding genetic predispositions. As the Army reviews its stance, Carys and her family await a decision that could set a critical precedent for future recruits.
