title: Genetic issues in patients with breast cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Waterbury Hospital Health Center, Waterbury, CT 06721, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria Sahadevan
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Fossland
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Stroop
authors.forename: Robin C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kurtzman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D024682:BRCA2 Protein