Genetic issues in patients with breast cancer.
Screening for genetic abnormalities is a relatively complex task requiring detailed training and knowledge. Analysis of a person's genetic makeup has implications not only for that individual but also for their progenitors, offspring, siblings, and spouses. There are potential insurance, employment, and other risks regarding disclosure of this information. With proper training, surgeons or nurses with advanced skills can be qualified to conduct this type of initial analysis. Geneticists may be the ideal professionals to counsel patients. In this article, we explore these and other issues. The goal is to provide the surgeon with the information needed to identify patients at risk for carrying identifiable mutations that might lead to the development of breast cancer.
Fossland
Victoria Sahadevan
VS
Department of Surgery, Waterbury Hospital Health Center, Waterbury, CT 06721, USA.
Stroop
Jennifer B
JB
Schwartz
Robin C
RC
Kurtzman
Scott H
SH
D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses
D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D024682:BRCA2 Protein