Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: successful systematic implementation of a group approach to genetic counselling.
The increase in referrals to cancer genetics clinics, partially associated with the "Angelina Jolie effect", presents a challenge to existing services, many are already running at full capacity. More efficient ways to deliver genetic counselling are therefore urgently needed. We now systematically offer group instead of standard individual counselling to patients with suspected Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Group sessions last 30 min. The first twenty consist of a presentation by the genetic counsellor, the next ten of a discussion involving a cancer geneticist and a psychologist. A short individual consultation ensues, where personal and family issues are addressed and consent obtained. Blood is drawn afterwards. Satisfaction and knowledge are evaluated. We report data for the Oct-2014-Aug-2015 period. 210 patients attended group counselling, up to eight simultaneously. We always fitted them within a 4-h time frame. Mean satisfaction score was 41/43. Knowledge scores increased from 3.1/6 to 4.9/6 post-counselling (p value < 2.2 × 10-16). Thanks to group counselling, we have withstood increases in referrals without compromising care. The "Angelina Jolie effect" and rapid developments in personalized medicine threaten to overwhelm cancer genetics clinics. In this context, our innovative approach should ensure that all patients have access to approved services.
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France. patrick.benusiglio@gustaveroussy.fr.
Patrick R
0000-0003-1003-1997
PR
Benusiglio
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Marina
M
Di Maria
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK.
Leila
L
Dorling
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.|Oncologie Médicale, Hôpital Cochin - Port Royal AP-HP, Université Paris Descartes, 53 Avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014, Paris, France.
Anne
A
Jouinot
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Antoine
A
Poli
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Sophie
S
Villebasse
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Marine
M
Le Mentec
Unité de Psycho-Oncologie, Département Interdisciplinaire de Soins de Support, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Béatrice
B
Claret
Unité de Psycho-Oncologie, Département Interdisciplinaire de Soins de Support, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Diane
D
Boinon
Consultation d'Oncogénétique, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805, Villejuif, France.
Olivier
O
Caron
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
BRCA1; BRCA2; Delivery of health care; Genetic counselling; Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; Patient education