Genetic Counseling Using BRCA1-Linked Markers.
Abstract
Rapid developments in cancer genetics have exposed a knowledge vacuum about genetic testing for susceptibility to cancer. Our experience in testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in hereditary breast cancer (HBC) syndrome, with counseling about cancer surveillance and management, inclusive of the option of prophylactic surgery, provides some important information. We provided DNA-based (BRCA1, BRCA2 germ-line mutation) findings on 442 patients from 37 HBC families. The top two reasons for receiving genetic test results are for their children and for their own health surveillance. Of those women who have tested positive for BRCA1 and have been counseled, 40% had already developed breast cancer and 6% had already developed ovarian cancer, while in BRCA2 25% had developed breast cancer and 0% had developed ovarian cancer. Of the unaffected women, prior to counseling 59% from BRCA1 and 46% from BRCA2 said they would consider prophylactic mastectomy if their result was positive; 76% of BRCA1 and 50% of BRCA2 cases said they would consider prophylactic oophorectomy. Full interpretation of these findings will be possible only when long-term outcome results are available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA337004
Entities
Organizations
- Creighton University