ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
breast cancer
;
genetic counselling
;
risk assessment
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:With the identification of genes predisposing tohereditary breast cancer, the accurate and consistent estimation of a woman'srisk of developing breast cancer based on her family history is of paramountimportance if national service guidelines are to be developed. Patients and methods:The residual lifetime risk of developingbreast cancer was estimated for 200 women attending a breast cancer geneticassessment clinic by three different methods currently in use in the UK. Riskswere computed on the basis of the Cancer and Steroid Hormone (CASH) study dataand were classified as ‘low/moderate’ (〈20%) or ‘high’(〉20%). These risk categories are representative of those currentlyused to allocate surveillance and genetic testing. Risks were then comparedto estimates derived by other methods used in current clinical practice,including those of Houlston and Murday. Results:The CASH data-based method ascribed 27% to thehigh risk category, as compared to 53% for the combined Houlston andMurday methods. A method based on the number of affected relatives aloneascribed only 14% to the high risk category. Overall, 108 (54%)women were placed in the same risk category by all three methods. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that there is a significantdegree of variability between methods currently used to estimate breast cancerrisk which has serious implications for individual patient management, serviceprovision and multicentre studies evaluating the benefits of genetic testingfor breast cancer susceptibility.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008396129543
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