Barriers to genetic testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients: Do surgeons limit testing?
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
American journal of surgery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genetic testing results influence treatment recommendations in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. However, at-risk patients do not uniformly undergo genetic testing. The goal of this study was to identify barriers to genetic testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
METHODS: A prospective database of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients meeting specific criteria over an 18-month period was created and retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: A total of 532 patients were identified at risk for genetic mutation. Of these 313 (59%) patients completed a genetic counseling appointment and 292 (55%) underwent genetic testing. One hundred seven (24%) were never referred to genetic counselors and 89 (17%) were referred but did not complete an appointment. Patients referred to genetics were younger than the nonreferred patients (50.9 vs 60.6 years, P < .001). The 89 women referred to genetics who did not complete an appointment were surveyed and had varied reasons for not completing an appointment.
CONCLUSIONS: The largest barrier to genetic testing was lack of physician referral; therefore, provider education must be improved. Appointments should be convenient and providers should proactively discuss the significant implications of testing results.
First Page
105
Last Page
110
DOI
10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.08.012
Publication Date
7-1-2017
Recommended Citation
Hafertepen L, Pastorino A, Morman N, Snow J, Halaharvi D, Byrne L, Cripe M. Barriers to genetic testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients: Do surgeons limit testing? Am J Surg. 2017 Jul;214(1):105-110. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.08.012. Epub 2016 Sep 9. PMID: 27773374.