Society of Surgical Oncology: Statement on Genetic Testing for Cancer Susceptibility

Klimberg, Vicki; Galandiuk, Susan; Singletary, Eva; Cohen, Atika; Sener, S.F.; Talamonti, Mark S.; Witt, Thomas R.; Niederhuber, John E.; Edwards, Mandy

doi:10.1007/s10434-999-0507-4

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…[9][10][11] Professional organizations advise that people who want to learn about their options and alternatives regarding genetic testing should be referred to specialists such as genetic counselors. [12][13][14] However, there are only about 400 genetic counselors in the United States who identify themselves as specializing in cancer genetics, 15 and cancer genetic counselors are not available in some regions of the United States, especially outside of major urban areas. Consequently, the demand for education and counseling about inherited cancer risk is likely to outstrip the supply of cancer genetics specialists, 16,17 and there is a pressing need to find effective ways to deliver factual information about breast cancer risk and genetic testing in light of the limited access to these services.…”

Section: N Recent Years Genetic Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a Computer-Based Decision Aid on Knowledge, Perceptions, and Intentions About Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Green¹,

Peterson²,

Baker³

et al. 2004

JAMA

268

249

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N RECENT YEARS, GENETIC TESTING for inherited cancer predisposition has become widely available. [1][2][3] Initially, the use of such testing was limited to those enrolled in research studies at specialized medical centers. However, developments in testing technology and widespread publicity in the news media have led to increased testing for conditions such as breast cancer susceptibility 4,5 in primary care [6][7][8] and other settings, raising questions about how to adequately inform patients about their personal breast cancer risk and the pros and cons of genetic testing. 9-11 Professional organizations advise that people who want to learn about their options and alternatives regarding genetic testing should be referred to specialists such as genetic counselors. 12-14 However, there are only about 400 genetic counselors in the United States who identify themselves as specializing in cancer genetics, 15 and cancer genetic counselors are not available in some regions of the Author Affiliations and Financial Disclosures are listed at the end of this article.

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Section: N Recent Years Genetic Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a Computer-Based Decision Aid on Knowledge, Perceptions, and Intentions About Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Green¹,

Peterson²,

Baker³

et al. 2004

JAMA

268

249

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…4,8 However, insufficient use of family history information and provision of risk assessment in the oncology setting has been a longstanding problem. Oncology professionals should recognize that family history is a necessary part of comprehensive cancer risk assessment and as appropriate as asking about other personal risk or environmental factors as contributors to the patient's cancer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Referral of Families at High Risk for Cancer Susceptibility

Sweet

Bradley

Westman

2002

Journal of Clinical Oncology

125

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“…Multiple guidelines exist as to who is eligible for testing and the reader is referred to those guidelines for more complete information [ [1][2][3][4]. Risk factors for hereditary breast cancer obtained from a family history include: (1) relatives with breast or ovarian cancer diagnosed at a young age (under age 45); (2) multiple primary cancers in a single individual (bilateral breast or breast plus ovarian cancer); (3) early onset of breast cancer (diagnosed before age 50) and (4) family history of male breast cancer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Patients at High Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer: A Guide for the Practicing Physician

Cusack

Hughes

2012

Ann Surg Oncol

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Breast cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and affects as many as one in seven women in Western countries. Of the 5-10% of breast cancers that follow a Mendelian inheritance pattern, 30% of these are due to BRCA1 or BRCA2 germ-line mutations. The principal objective of breast cancer risk assessment is to identify the carriers of the BRCA gene mutation, ideally before they develop breast cancer. When combined, familial and hereditary breast cancer comprise over 25% of breast cancers; fortunately the skills required to perform the initial breast cancer risk assessment are as basic as taking a thorough family history and conducting a complete physical examination. Determining the actual risk of an individual patient can be perceived as time-consuming and cumbersome, and is therefore often omitted in the busy clinic setting. The challenges for care providers who are responsible for assessing breast cancer risk can be ascribed in part to the lack of standardized tools for managing extensive family histories and calculating risk, the reluctance to utilize web-based risk assessment instruments, and the requirement in some cases of information systems (IS) support to operate these web-based instruments. As a result, the primary role of care providers and surgeons is often reduced to the rudimentary identification of patients who may be at high risk for developing hereditary breast cancer, followed by the referral of those patients for genetic counseling and possible DNA testing.Most importantly, the care providers' role in identifying patients who may be at risk is the first step in the risk assessment process. For the surgical oncologist accurate assessment and management of breast cancer risk are critical components of the initial clinical evaluation that may lead to potentially life-saving interventions. To assess and manage breast cancer risk well, the surgical oncologist must understand the uses and limitations of risk assessment tools, clearly communicate the results of the risk assessment to patients and relatives, and effectively incorporate the results into a long-term management strategy that is acceptable to the patient.We strongly believe that it is critical to identify carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations before they develop cancer in order to prevent cancer or to find it at an earlier more treatable stage. Multiple guidelines exist as to who is eligible for testing and the reader is referred to those guidelines for more complete information [ 1-4 ]. Risk factors for hereditary breast cancer obtained from a family history include: (1) relatives with breast or ovarian cancer diagnosed at a young age (under age 45); (2) multiple primary cancers in a single individual (bilateral breast or breast plus ovarian cancer); (3) early onset of breast cancer (diagnosed before age 50) and (4) family history of male breast cancer. Patients with any one of these risk factors should be considered for genetic counseling and genetic

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Society of Surgical Oncology: Statement on Genetic Testing for Cancer Susceptibility

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of a Computer-Based Decision Aid on Knowledge, Perceptions, and Intentions About Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Effect of a Computer-Based Decision Aid on Knowledge, Perceptions, and Intentions About Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Identification and Referral of Families at High Risk for Cancer Susceptibility

Managing Patients at High Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer: A Guide for the Practicing Physician

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