title: Genetic counseling, cancer screening, breast cancer characteristics, and general health among a diverse population of BRCA genetic testers.
abstract: Outcomes after genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome have not been well studied in underserved populations. We surveyed 1,123 BRCA testers from a genetic counseling program serving an academic cancer center (n=1,045) and a public county hospital (n=78) a median of 3.7 years after testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer susceptibility genes). We compared genetic counseling outcomes, cancer screening rates, and self-reported general health. We found no differences in genetic counseling outcomes between hospitals. Breast cancer screening rates were similarly high at both hospitals, which are warranted in this high-risk population. Screening rates for ovarian, colon, and skin cancer were significantly lower in participants from the public hospital. BRCA results were not a predictor of general health at either hospital. When creating a genetic counseling program that serves women in different hospital settings, providers should emphasize guidelines-based screening recommendations for all patients.
authors: Mary S
authors: MS
authors: Beattie
authors: Kelli
authors: K
authors: Copeland
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Fehniger
authors: Eleanor
authors: E
authors: Cheung
authors: Galen
authors: G
authors: Joseph
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Lee
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Luce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D012495:San Francisco; D055815:Young Adult