Risk modeling in breast cancer.
Women with BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 mutations have a significantly increased risk for breast cancer. While genetic testing can provide valuable information concerning this increased risk and the proposed benefit of risk-reducing interventions, the absolute breast cancer risk conferred by BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations remains to be fully determined. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines indicate that testing should be considered in women whose mutation probability is greater than 10%. None of the currently available approaches for determining BRCA gene mutation probability are 100% accurate. The computer program BRCAPRO is a useful adjunct for estimating these probabilities, but limitations inherent in mathematical models make it essential that genetic counselors are involved in decisions to perform genetic testing.
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9155, USA.
David
D
Euhus
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States