Summary
In the United States, 3.8 million women have a history of breast (BC) or ovarian cancer (OC). Up to 15 percent of cases are attributable to heritable mutations, which, if identified, provide critical knowledge for treatment and preventive care. It is unknown how many patients who are at high risk for these mutations have not been tested and how rates vary by risk criteria.
Study authors pooled cross-sectional data from three Cancer Control Modules (2005, 2010, 2015) of the National Health Interview Survey. Eligible patients were adult females with a history of BC and/or OC meeting select eligibility criteria on the basis of age of diagnosis and family history. Using only four BC eligibility criteria and all patients with OC, an estimated 1.2 to 1.3 million individuals failed to receive testing.
Fewer than one in five individuals with a history of BC or OC meeting select National Cancer Comprehensive Network criteria have undergone genetic testing. Most have never discussed testing with a health care provider. Large national efforts are warranted to address this unmet need.
Publication Authors:
- Christopher P. Childers
- Kimberly K. Childers
- Melinda Maggard-Gibbons
- James Macinko, PhD