Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/better-outcomes-for-women-that-know-BRCA-mutation-status
Full article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2768011
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a high lifetime risk of breast and other cancers. This study shows that women who know that they have a BRCA mutation before they are diagnosed with breast cancer have improved outcomes including diagnosis at earlier stages and improved overall survival. (10/26/20)
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Should I consider genetic testing for inherited mutations in BRCA or other breast cancer genes?
- How do I get a referral for genetic counseling and genetic testing?
- If I know that I have an inherited BRCA mutation, what would you recommend regarding surveillance and preventive options?
- Would you recommend screening with MRI instead of or in combination with mammography?
- If I know that I have an inherited BRCA mutation, what would you recommend for treatment of my breast cancer?
Open Clinical Trials
The following clinical trials include genetic counseling and testing.
- NCT02620852: WISDOM Study: Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk offers women ages 40-74 the opportunity to undergo risk assessment and genetic testing in order to determine the best breast screening options based on their situation.
- NCT05562778: Chatbot to maximize hereditary cancer genetic risk assessment. Researchers are testing whether a mobile health platform, known as a "chatbot" can improve rates of genetic testing among Medicaid patients with an elevated risk having an inherited mutation.
- NCT05427240: eHealth Delivery Alternative for Cancer Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer (eReach2). This study will look at the effectiveness of offering web-based options for pre/post-test genetic counseling to provide equal or improved timely uptake of genetic services and testing.
- NCT05694559: Connecting Black Families in Houston, Texas to Hereditary Cancer Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, and Cascade Testing by Using a Simple Genetic Risk Screening Tool and Telegenetics. This study will provide genetic testing to 150 Black individuals and families and provide genetic counseling and risk reduction resources to individuals with a mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
Other genetic counseling or testing studies may be found here.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.