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Surgeon attitude impacts rate of genetic testing after a breast cancer diagnosis
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/breast-cancer-surgeons-impact-genetic-testing
Full article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2686718
A study in JAMA Surgery this year examined the factors that impact genetic testing after a breast cancer diagnosis. This study suggests that the attitudes of attending surgeons about genetic testing have the most impact on whether patients receive testing. (10/6/18)
Expert Guidelines
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has guidelines on who should undergo genetic counseling and testing. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you should speak with a genetics expert about genetic testing if any of the following apply to you:
- You have a blood relative who has tested positive for an inherited mutation
- You have any of the following:
- Breast cancer at age 50 or younger
- Male breast cancer at any age
- Ovarian cancer at any age
- Triple-negative breast cancer at any age
- Two separate breast cancer diagnoses
- Eastern European Jewish ancestry and breast cancer at any age
- Metastatic breast cancer
- Testing of your tumor shows a mutation in a gene that is associated with hereditary cancer
- HER2-negative breast cancer and high risk for recurrence
- Lobular breast cancer and a family history of diffuse gastric cancer
OR
- You have one or more close family members who have had:
- Young-onset or rare cancers
- Breast cancer at age 50 or younger
- Triple-negative breast cancer
- Male breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer at any age
- Two separate cancer diagnoses
- Prostate cancer at age 55 or younger or metastatic prostate cancer
The American Society of Breast Cancer Surgeons (ASBrS) released guidelines in 2019 that recommend all women diagnosed with breast cancer have access to genetic testing for inherited mutations in breast cancer genes.
If you are uncertain whether you meet the guidelines above and you are interested in or considering genetic testing, you should speak with a cancer genetics expert.
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Am I at increased risk for carrying an inherited mutation in a gene linked to breast cancer?
- Should I consult with a genetic counselor?
- If I have a mutation in a breast cancer gene, how might that alter my treatment or risk-reduction recommendations?
Open Clinical Trials
Below are clinical trials that include genetic counseling and testing.
Other genetic counseling or testing studies may be found here.
The following clinical research studies focus on addressing health disparities in cancer.
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.