Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

BioMed Central Ltd

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery / WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care

Comments

Meiser, B., Tucker, K., Friedlander, M., Barlow-Stewart, K., Lobb, E., Saunders, C., & Mitchell, G. (2008). Genetic counselling and testing for inherited gene mutations in newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer: a review of the existing literature and a proposed research agenda. Breast Cancer Research, 10(6), 216. Available here


Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. In line with BioMed Central's Open Data Policy, data included in the article shall be made available under the Creative Commons 1.0 Public Domain Dedication waiver, unless otherwise stated. http://www.biomedcentral.com/licensing


Abstract

Many women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and with a strong family history of breast cancer are referred to a family cancer service for genetic counselling and for consideration of genetic testing for germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes following completion of their cancer treatment. However, there is growing evidence that mutation status may influence treatment recommendations, and that there may be benefits in having 'treatment-focused genetic counselling and testing' available shortly after cancer diagnosis. This article reviews the literature that could inform the development of treatment-focused genetic counselling and testing, including: the rationale for genetic testing to aid with treatment decisions; the potential benefits of using mutation or risk status to tailor management; the criteria that may be used to identify patients most likely to carry germline mutations; and the evidence regarding women's decision-making regarding treatment-focused genetic counselling and testing and the associated psychological impact.

DOI

10.1186/bcr2194

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1186/bcr2194