Counseling the at risk patient in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Era.
The 5-year experience since the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has shown that genetic evaluation and testing can increase understanding of cancer risks for individuals with a personal or family history of early onset breast cancer and ovarian cancer. However, testing needs to be undertaken in a clinical setting where pretest counseling, including likelihood of identifying a mutation and risks and benefits of the process are provided. Identifying women who carry mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 has implications for prevention, screening and treatment of these cancers.
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Inbal M
IM
Barnes-Kedar
Sharon E
SE
Plon
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity