Army rejected teenage job applicant over breast-cancer gene

Wendy Watson, who set up a national helpline for people with a family history of breast cancer, agrees Carys’ case is one of sex discrimination, as men can also carry the faulty gene and develop the disease.

Some women with the gene have preventative mastectomy (breast removal).

If a candidate appears at risk of a specific genetic disorder, the occupational physician responsible for recruit selection will assess the risk and its likely impact on the candidate’s health and safety in a military workplace – normally, without the need for genetic testing, the Army says.

“We’re not going to discuss the medical details of any Army applicant without their specific consent,” an official said.

“However, we can confirm that we’re reviewing the circumstances of this case and have contacted the individual to explain what’s happened and apologise.

“The issue is now being managed by the Army’s head of recruiting, personally.”