Attitudes of obstetrician-gynecologists toward DNA testing for a genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge and attitudes of area obstetrician-gynecologists toward DNA testing for genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.


METHODS
At a staff meeting of each of the Rochester area's hospitals that had an obstetric service, we assessed knowledge of inherited predisposition to breast cancer, presented the current status of testing for genetic susceptibility, and assessed attitudes toward such testing.


RESULTS
The majority of the physicians surveyed believed that current BRCA1 testing can detect a genetic predisposition to breast cancer accurately enough to be clinically useful (81%) and that a young woman with a family history of breast cancer not currently having regular mammography is likely to benefit from DNA testing because a positive result may motivate her to start mammography earlier (88%). However, most respondents thought that women who test positive are likely to be excessively anxious (87%) and may be discriminated against for insurance purposes (75%). In response to an invitation to participate in a clinical trial of free BRCA1 screening, 74 (70%) desired to participate.


CONCLUSIONS
Obstetrician-gynecologists expect women detected to have a BRCA1 mutation to be motivated to conduct surveillance, but also to experience anxiety and possible discrimination.
Rowley
P T
PT
Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York, USA.
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D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D005819:Genetic Markers