title: Referral of Ovarian Cancer Patients for Genetic Counselling by Oncologists: Need for Improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nearly 15% of all ovarian cancer patients carry a germline BRCA mutation. A pilot project was started at IRCCS AOU San Martino--IST, Genoa, to assess the feasibility and consequences of offering genetic counselling to all ovarian cancer patients during routine oncology appointments. We present early results of this project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who attended an oncology visit at the Medical Oncology Unit 1 between November 2012 and December 2013 were identified. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data, genetic counselling and testing outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 104 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer undergoing an oncology visit, 94 had not had genetic counselling in the past. Twenty-nine patients (29/94, 31%) were referred to the Unit of Hereditary Cancer; of these, 14/26 (54%) were referred at the first visit and 15/68 (22%) at the follow-up visit (p = 0.003). Most referred women attended genetic counselling (22/29, 76%) and had BRCA genetic testing (21/22, 95%). Four BRCA1 mutations were detected (4/21, 19%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncologists discuss genetic counselling with a minority of ovarian cancer patients. Mainstreaming such practice is important to optimize the management of these patients and their families. Efforts are needed to identify new models for introducing ovarian cancer genetic risk assessment in oncology practice.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Hereditary Cancer, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sciallero
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mammoliti
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gismondi
authors.forename: Marzena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franiuk
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruzzi
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varesco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment