Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/better-outcomes-for-women-that-know-BRCA-mutation-status
Full article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2768011
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a high lifetime risk of breast and other cancers. This study shows that women who know that they have a BRCA mutation before they are diagnosed with breast cancer have improved outcomes including diagnosis at earlier stages and improved overall survival. (10/26/20)
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Should I consider genetic testing for inherited mutations in BRCA or other breast cancer genes?
- How do I get a referral for genetic counseling and genetic testing?
- If I know that I have an inherited BRCA mutation, what would you recommend regarding surveillance and preventive options?
- Would you recommend screening with MRI instead of or in combination with mammography?
- If I know that I have an inherited BRCA mutation, what would you recommend for treatment of my breast cancer?
Open Clinical Trials
- NCT04476654: Improving Uptake of Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment in African American Women- Video. This study will test how well culturally-tailored videos help to improve uptake of genetic counseling in Black women at increased risk of having an inherited mutation.
- NCT01251900 BRCA Mutations in Latinas. This study is looking at how common inherited mutations in breast cancer genes are among Hispanic and Latina women.
- NCT00579488 Clinical Significance of Germline BRCA Mutations. The goal of this study is to learn more about the roles of genes and cancers that run in families. Participants who want the information will be told of their BRCA gene test results.
- NCT03762590: GENetic Education Risk Assessment and TEsting Study (GENERATE). The goal of the GENERATE study is to increase the uptake of genetic testing among family members of pancreatic cancer patients who may carry a genetic mutation.
The following clinical trials include genetic counseling and testing.
- NCT02620852: WISDOM Study: Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk offers women ages 40-74 the opportunity to undergo risk assessment and genetic testing in order to determine the best breast screening options based on their situation.
- NCT05562778: Chatbot to maximize hereditary cancer genetic risk assessment. Researchers are testing whether a mobile health platform, known as a "chatbot" can improve rates of genetic testing among Medicaid patients with an elevated risk having an inherited mutation.
- NCT05427240: eHealth Delivery Alternative for Cancer Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer (eReach2). This study will look at the effectiveness of offering web-based options for pre/post-test genetic counseling to provide equal or improved timely uptake of genetic services and testing.
- NCT05694559: Connecting Black Families in Houston, Texas to Hereditary Cancer Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, and Cascade Testing by Using a Simple Genetic Risk Screening Tool and Telegenetics. This study will provide genetic testing to 150 Black individuals and families and provide genetic counseling and risk reduction resources to individuals with a mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
Other genetic counseling or testing studies may be found here.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.