title: Journey through the clinics - The experience of a woman with BRCA2.
abstract: Being told that you carry the gene abnormality for breast cancer is hard enough, then being told that you need surgery that will render you menopausal at a young age makes life even harder. Trying to navigate through the NHS, the genetics service, the gynaecology clinics, the gynaecology surgery, primary care services and finally menopause clinics has highlighted the need for cohesive and consistent advice for such women. This woman reports on her personal, generally positive, experience of this journey.
authors.affiliation: Menopause Clinical and Research Unit, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, Harrow, UK kabernethy@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abernethy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D037001:Directive Counseling; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008327:Mammography; D008594:Menopause, Premature; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D062526:Patient Navigation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
keywords: Breast cancer; HRT; menopause