Sunday, January 27, 2008

Breast Cancer Gene Testing Less Likely Among Blacks

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - African American women are generally less likely than white women to pursue genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2, the gene mutations associated with an increased risk of break cancer, researchers report. However, African American women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer are much more likely to do so, according to the article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"Everybody deserves consideration for testing if their clinical and family history situation warrant it," Dr. James P. Evans, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Reuters Health. "Regardless of race, one has to approach genetic testing as an important option and explain the pros and cons to the patient."

Evans and associates examined race and the timing of breast cancer diagnosis and the frequency of BRCA1/2 genetic testing among women attending the UNC Cancer Genetics Service.

Among 768 women diagnosed with breast cancer who were offered BRCA1/2 testing, the rates of testing among African American and white patients did not differ, authors report.

Overall, African American women were 46 percent less likely than white women to undergo BRCA1/2 genetic testing, the author report.

Women who were diagnosed recently had a higher odds of pursuing testing than did women diagnosed more than 1 year before genetic evaluation, the investigators say, but this difference was statistically significant only for African American women, who were almost three-times as likely to undergo genetic testing.

Why a recent breast cancer diagnosis increases the use of BRCA1/2 genetic testing so "dramatically" among African American "could contribute to a better understanding of racial disparities in genetic testing and medicine," the authors conclude.
"We continue to aggressively try to find avenues for women who need testing but can't afford it, Evans said."One of the most interesting (and distressing) features of our study in my mind is that almost half of the patients who could benefit from testing can't get it...either because they had no insurance or their insurance was inadequate. Only through our special program were we able to provide it for all those patients."

Maximizing the use of BRCA1/2 testing requires "good genetic counseling and a personalized attentive approach on the side of the medical team," Evans advised. "We try to take a lot of time to explain the nuances to women and why testing can be of help to them and their families. I think this is especially important with African American patients where there is traditionally a lower level of trust in the medical profession (understandably)."

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, January 1, 2008; breastcancer.org

******

1 comment:

The Patient Connection said...

Research Blog on Breast Cancer


Dear Friend

We are currently running a research blog or online discussion on the subject of information sources for women with breast cancer. We are seeking the opinions of both people have had or have family members with breast cancer.

In particular we are interested in the kinds of information you would like to see provide to women in this situation.

We would love it if you could share your story or just post useful resources for suffers, carers and family members

If you are interested there are two ways of participating. Firstly send me a message and I will send you a link to the survey

Firstly you could join our community The Patients’ Voice and we will send you invitation.

http://www.thepatientconnections.com/patients-voice/index.html

You would become eligible for our paid surveys if you do.

Or you could have a look at the blog here

http://www.thepatientconnections.com/blog.asp?uid=67n5u6



Thanks for your help in advance

Belinda
PS If you have not already done so why not become a friend online.