Uptake of clinical genetic testing for ovarian cancer in Ontario: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 13% of ovarian cancers in Canada are attributable to a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. In 2001, genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 became freely available to all women in Ontario with a diagnosis of invasive ovarian cancer. It is unknown what proportion of women with ovarian cancer receive genetic testing as a result of this recommendation.


METHODS
Patients in Ontario who had been diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer from 2002 to 2004 were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. Information was collected on demographic and risk factors, including information on previous testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women were asked to provide a blood sample for genetic testing or to provide a genetic test result if clinical testing had been done. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations was conducted on all blood samples.


RESULTS
Of the 416 women, 80 women (19%) had undergone previous clinical genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Of these 80 women, 30% had a positive genetic test result, compared to 5% of 336 women who had not had clinical genetic testing (p<0.0001). Sixty percent of all mutations were identified within this group of 80 women.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic testing is available in Ontario to all women with invasive ovarian cancer. However, only a small proportion of women are being referred for testing. This study suggests that increased public awareness directed at physicians and at women with cancer may expand the use of genetic testing.
Metcalfe
Kelly A
KA
Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Kelly.metcalfe@utoronto.ca
Fan
Isabel
I
McLaughlin
John
J
Risch
Harvey A
HA
Rosen
Barry
B
Murphy
Joan
J
Bradley
Linda
L
Armel
Susan
S
Sun
Ping
P
Narod
Steven A
SA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm