Perceptions of Ashkenazi Jewish breast cancer patients on genetic testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2

The perceived benefits and risks of genetic testing may vary between groups of individuals with different cultural, demographic, and family history features. This multicentre study examined the factors that influenced the decision to undergo genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Canadian Jewish women with breast cancer. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to 134 individuals enrolled in a research-based testing program for Ashkenazi women. The questionnaire assessed demographic, social, and family history parameters, and the influence of medical, family, social, psychological, and cultural/religious factors on decision making about genetic testing. Seventy-six percent of women completed the questionnaire. Forty-one percent of study participants had no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The most important factors influencing the decision to undergo testing were a desire to contribute to research, potential benefit to other family members, curiosity, and the potential for relief if not found to be a carrier (endorsed by 87, 78, 70, and 60% of participants, respectively). The main perceived risks of undergoing genetic testing related to insurance discrimination, confidentiality, accuracy and interpretability of results, potential impact on marriage prospects for family members, and focus on the Jewish community (endorsed by 28, 24, 30, 17, and 14% of participants, respectively). This study provides novel information on the motivating factors for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing in Canadian women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The focus on altruistic factors and those related to perceived psychological benefits of testing is notable.     

Prevalence of founder mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among unaffected women from the Bahamas

Population‐based testing for BRCA1/2 mutations detects a high proportion of carriers not identified by cancer family history‐based testing. We sought to determine whether population‐based testing is an effective approach to genetic testing in the Bahamas, where 23% of women with breast cancer carry one of seven founder mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. We determined the prevalence of founder BRCA mutations in 1847 Bahamian women without a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, unselected for age or family history. We found that 2.8% (20/705) of unaffected women with a family history of breast/ovarian cancer and 0.09% (1/1089) of unaffected women without a family history carry a BRCA mutation. A total of 38% of unaffected women with a known mutation in the family were found to carry the familial mutation. We previously suggested that all Bahamian women with breast or ovarian cancer be offered genetic testing. These current data suggest that additionally all unaffected Bahamian women with a family history of breast/ovarian cancer should be offered genetic testing for the founder BRCA mutations.     

Breast and ovarian cancer risk perception after prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy due to an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

It is often recommended that women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce their risk of gynecologic cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate women's perception of their risk of breast and ovarian cancer before and after prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. We surveyed 127 women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and who underwent prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy at the University Health Network, Toronto. Subjects were asked to estimate their risks of breast and ovarian cancer before and after surgery. Their perceived risks of cancers were then compared with published risks, based on their mutation status. BRCA1 carriers estimated their risk of breast cancer risk to be, on average, 69% before surgery and 41% after surgery. They estimated their risk of ovarian cancer to be 55% before surgery and 11% after surgery. BRCA2 carriers estimated their risk of breast cancer to be 69% prior to surgery and 45% after surgery and their perceived risk of ovarian cancer to be 43% before surgery and 8% after surgery. Compared with published risk figures, the perceived risk of ovarian cancer before prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was overestimated by 47% of BRCA1 mutation carriers and by 61% of BRCA2 mutation carriers. Most women who have undergone genetic counseling and subsequently choose prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy accurately perceive their risk of breast cancer. However, in this study, many women overestimated their risk of ovarian cancer, particularly women who carry a BRCA2 mutation.     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and the risk for colorectal cancer

Women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and may be at moderately increased risk of other cancer types. This review examines studies to date that have evaluated the risk of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations for colorectal cancer. Accurate knowledge of colorectal cancer risk in BRCA1/2 carriers is important, because colonoscopy screening can prevent colorectal cancer through the removal of adenomatous polyps. Most studies that have identified an increased risk for colorectal cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers were in high‐risk cancer families, while studies that found no association were conducted in specific populations and involved the analysis of founder mutations. A recent prospective study of 7015 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation identified significant fivefold increased risk of colorectal cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers younger than 50 years [standardized incidence ratio (SIR): 4.8; 95% CI: 2.2–9], but not in women with a BRCA2 mutation or in older women. Based on this evidence, women with BRCA1 mutations should be counseled about their increased risk for early‐onset colorectal cancer, and offered colonoscopy at 3‐ to 5‐year intervals between the ages of 40 and 50 years, and should follow population guidelines thereafter.     

Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the Province of Ontario

In 2001, genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 was introduced in Ontario, for women at high‐risk of breast or ovarian cancer. To date over 30,000 individuals have been tested throughout Ontario. Testing was offered to all Ontario residents who were eligible under any of 13 criteria. We report the results of tests conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital from 2007 to 2014. A total of 4726 individuals were tested, 764 (16.2%) were found to carry a pathogenic variant (mutation). Among 3684 women and men who underwent testing without a known familial BRCA mutation, 331 (9.0%) were found to carry a mutation. Among 1042 women and men tested for a known family mutation, 433 (41.6%) were positive. There were 603 female mutation carriers, of these, 303 were affected with breast or ovarian cancer (50%) and 16 with another cancer (2.3%). Of 284 unaffected female carriers, 242 (85%) were tested for a known family mutation and 42 (15%) were the first person in the family to be tested. By placing greater emphasis on recruiting unaffected female relatives of known mutation carriers for testing, greater than one‐half of newly identified carriers will be unaffected.     

Development and testing of a decision aid for breast cancer prevention for women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

For women who carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, the risk of breast cancer is up to 87% by the age of 70. There are options available to reduce the risk of breast cancer; however, each option has both risks and benefits, which makes decision making difficult. The objective is to develop and pilot test a decision aid for breast cancer prevention for women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. The decision aid was developed and evaluated in three stages. In the first stage, the decision aid was developed and reviewed by cancer genetics experts. The second stage was a review of the decision aid by women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation for acceptability and feasibility. The final stage was a pre-test--post-test evaluation of the decision aid. Twenty-one women completed the pre-test questionnaire and 20 completed the post-test questionnaire. After using the decision aid, there was a significant decline in mean decisional conflict scores (p = 0.001), a significant improvement in knowledge scores (p = 0.004), and fewer women uncertain about prophylactic mastectomy (p = 0.003) and prophylactic oophorectomy (p = 0.009). Use of the decision aid decreased decisional conflict to levels suggestive of implementation of a decision. In addition, knowledge levels increased and choice predisposition changed with fewer women being uncertain about each option. This has significant clinical implications as it implies that with greater uptake of cancer prevention options by women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, fewer women will develop and/or die of hereditary breast cancer.     

Risk factors for detecting germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 founder mutations in Ashkenazi Jewish women with breast or ovarian cancer

We ascertained 184 Ashkenazi Jewish women with breast/ovarian cancer (171 breast and 13 ovarian cancers, two of the former also had ovarian cancer) in a self-referral study. They were tested for germline founder mutations in BRCA1 (185delAG, 5382insC, 188del11) and BRCA2 (6174delT). Personal/family histories were correlated with mutation status. Logistic regression was used to develop a model to predict those breast cancer cases likely to be germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers in this population. The most important factors were age at diagnosis, personal/family history of ovarian cancer, or breast cancer diagnosed before 60 years in a first degree relative. A total of 15.8% of breast cancer cases, one of 13 ovarian cancer cases (7.7%), and both cases with ovarian and breast cancer carried one of the founder mutations. Age at diagnosis in carriers (44.6 years) was significantly lower than in non-carriers (52.1 years) (p<0.001), and was slightly lower in BRCA1 than BRCA2 carriers. Thirty three percent of carriers had no family history of breast or ovarian cancer in first or second degree relatives. Conversely, 12% of non-mutation carriers had strong family histories, with both a first and a second degree relative diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. The predicted values from the logistic model can be used to define criteria for identifying Ashkenazi Jewish women with breast cancer who are at high risk of carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. The following criteria would identify those at approximately 10% risk: (1) breast cancer <50 years, (2) breast cancer <60 years with a first degree relative with breast cancer <60 years, or (3) breast cancer <70 years and a first or second degree relative with ovarian cancer.     

The risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers without a first‐degree relative with breast cancer

The objective of this study was to estimate the lifetime risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation with and without at least 1 first‐degree relative with breast cancer. A total of 2835 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation were followed. Age‐ and gene‐specific breast cancer rates were calculated. The relative risks of breast cancer for subjects with a family history of breast cancer, compared to no family history were calculated. The mean age at baseline was 41.1 years, and they were followed for a mean of 6.0 years. The estimated penetrance of breast cancer to age 80 years was 60.8% for BRCA1 and 63.1% for BRCA2. For all BRCA carriers, the penetrance of breast cancer to age 80 for those with no first‐degree relative with breast cancer was 60.4% and 63.3% for those with at least 1 first‐degree relative with breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer for BRCA carriers with no first‐degree relative with breast cancer is substantial, and as a result, clinical management for these women should be the same as those for women with an affected relative.     

Presymptomatic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2: how distressing are the pre-test weeks?

Presymptomatic DNA testing for autosomal dominant hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) became an option after the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 1994-1995. Healthy female mutation carriers have a high lifetime risk for breast cancer (56-87%) or ovarian cancer (10-60%) and may opt for intensive breast and ovary surveillance or prophylactic surgery (mastectomy/oophorectomy).We studied general and cancer related distress in 85 healthy women with a 25% or 50% risk of being carrier of a BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutation and 66 partners in the six to eight week period between genetic counselling/blood sampling and disclosure of the test result. Questionnaire and interview data are analysed. Associations are explored between levels of distress and (1) expected consequences of being identified as a mutation carrier, (2) personality traits, (3) sociodemographic variables, and (4) experiences related to HBOC.Mean pre-test anxiety and depression levels in women at risk of being a carrier and partners were similar to those of a normal Dutch population. In about 25% of those at risk of being a carrier and 10% of the partners, increased to high levels of general and cancer related distress were found. Increased levels of distress were reported by women who (1) anticipated an increase in problems after an unfavourable test outcome, (2) considered prophylactic mastectomy if found to be mutation carrier, (3) had an unoptimistic personality, (4) tended to suppress their emotions, (5) were younger than 40 years, and (6) were more familiar with the serious consequences of HBOC. Recently obtained awareness of the genetic nature of cancer in the family was not predictive of distress.The majority of the women and their partners experienced a relatively calm period before the disclosure of the test result and seemed to postpone distressing thoughts until the week of disclosure of the result. The low distress levels may partly be explained by the use of strategies to minimise the emotional impact of a possibly unfavourable test outcome. However, a minority reported feeling very distressed. Several factors were found to be predictive for increased distress levels.     

Parental origin of mutation and the risk of breast cancer in a prospective study of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

The objective is to estimate the risk of breast cancer in women who carry a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, according to parental origin of mutation. We conducted a cohort study of women with a BRCA1 mutation (n = 1523) or BRCA2 mutation (n = 369) who had not been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. For each woman, the pedigree was reviewed and the origin of the mutation was assigned as probable paternal or maternal. The hazard ratio (HR) for developing breast cancer in the follow‐up period was estimated for women with a paternal mutation compared to a maternal mutation. The risk of breast cancer was modestly higher in women with a paternal BRCA1 mutation compared to women with a maternal BRCA1 mutation (HR = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.99–2.16) but the difference was not significant (p = 0.06). The parental mutation origin did not affect the risk in women with a BRCA2 mutation. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that there is an increased risk of breast cancer among women with a paternally inherited BRCA1 mutation compared to a maternally inherited mutation. However, the data are not sufficiently compelling to justify different screening recommendations for the two subgroups.     

Evaluation of the needs of spouses of female carriers of mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2

The process of genetic testing involves the entire family, including spouses. The objective of this study was to measure the specific needs and to describe the experiences of spouses of women who received genetic counseling for a positive BRCA1/2 result. We surveyed 59 spouses of female mutation carriers. The mean length of relationships was 26 years (range: 2.5-50 years). All were supportive of their spouses' decision to undergo genetic testing and counselling. Four respondents stated that they wished that they had received additional support at the time of test disclosure and 20% felt that their wives had received inadequate support. One-quarter of the spouses believed that their relationship had changed because of genetic testing; most felt that they had become closer to their wives. Husbands were most concerned about the risk of their wife dying of cancer (43%), followed by the risk of their spouse developing cancer (19%) and the risk that their children would test positive for the BRCA mutation (14%). Distress levels, measured by the Impact of Event scale, suggest that few spouses were experiencing clinical levels of distress.     

Comparison of individuals opting for BRCA1/2 or HNPCC genetic susceptibility testing with regard to coping, illness perceptions, illness experiences, family system characteristics and hereditary cancer distress

OBJECTIVE: To study differences between individuals opting for genetic cancer susceptibility testing of a known familial BRCA1/2 and HNPCC related germline mutation. METHODS: Coping, illness perceptions, experiences with cancer in relatives and family system characteristics were assessed in 271 applicants for genetic testing before test result disclosure. Hereditary cancer distress, worry and cancer risk perception were assessed before, 1 week after, and 6 months after disclosure. RESULTS: Individuals from BRCA1/2 and HNPCC mutation families did not differ with regard to the number of experiences with cancer in relatives, grief symptoms, the course of cancer distress, worry and risk perception through time and most illness perceptions, coping responses and family characteristics. Individuals from BRCA1/2 families perceived hereditary cancer as more serious. They reported more frequently a passive coping style, cancer worry and a less open communication with their partner and children. CONCLUSION: Besides subtle differences, psychological mechanisms may be mainly identical in individuals opting for BRCA1/2 and HNPCC susceptibility testing. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Based on our findings, using a similar counseling approach for individuals opting for BRCA1/2 or HNPCC genetic susceptibility testing is justified. In this approach, attention should be directed more to individual aspects than to the type of disorder.     

An evaluation of needs of female BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers undergoing genetic counselling

BACKGROUND—The discovery of the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 has improved our ability to counsel women at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The objective of our study was to identify the needs of women who have undergone genetic counselling and testing for BRCA1/2 and to determine the impact of receiving a positive BRCA1/2 result. This is the first study to report on a large group of women who have received positive BRCA1/2 mutation results.
METHODS—Questionnaires were distributed to 105 women who had received pre- and post-test genetic counselling for a positive BRCA1/2 result at the University of Toronto or at McGill University in Montreal, Canada between the years of 1994 and 1998. The questionnaire items included patient motivation for seeking genetic services, information needs, screening and prophylactic surgery practices, satisfaction with access to services and support, the desire for a support group, and overall client satisfaction.
RESULTS—Seventy nine female carriers were surveyed. The majority of the respondents (77%) were satisfied with the information they received during the genetic counselling process. Women with a previous diagnosis of cancer indicated that they needed more information relating to cancer treatment compared to women without cancer (p=0.05). Nineteen percent of the women felt they needed more support than was received. Fifty eight percent of the women reported that their screening practices had changed since they received their result. Young women (below the age of 50) and women with no previous diagnosis of cancer were most likely to have changed their screening practices. Nearly two thirds of the respondents said they had considered prophylactic surgery of the breasts or ovaries. Twenty eight percent of the women had prophylactic mastectomy and 54% had undergone prophylactic oophorectomy. Women with an educational level of high school or more were more likely to have undergone prophylactic bilateral mastectomy than those with less education (p=0.07) but were less likely to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy (p=0.0007).
CONCLUSION—These findings have a direct impact on the counselling and risk management of female BRCA mutation carriers. Age, education, and a previous diagnosis of cancer are important determinants in a woman's decision making after receiving positive genetic test results.


Keywords: genetic counselling; BRCA1; BRCA2; cancer genetics     

Early use of clinical BRCA1/2 testing: associations with race and breast cancer risk

When BRCA1/2 testing became commercially available in 1996, many U.S. experts voiced concern about the potential for indiscriminate use of testing among low-risk women. Supporting this concern, several early surveys of interest in genetic testing suggested that genetic testing for cancer susceptibility might appeal most to individuals at low risk of carrying a mutation. To identify factors associated with early use of clinical BRCA1/2 testing, a case-control study was conducted at a large academic health system in the metropolitan Philadelphia region. A total of 167 women underwent genetic counseling for clinical BRCA1/2 testing between 1996 and 1997 (cases) compared with 138 women who were seen in faculty general internal medicine practices over the same period (controls). In this study we measured the risk factors for breast cancer, the risk factors for carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation, and sociodemographic characteristics. Use of BRCA1/2 counseling between 1996 and 1997 was positively associated with family but no personal history of breast cancer (odds ratio (OR), 22.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 9.3-54.3); family and personal history of breast cancer (OR, 150.3; 95% CI, 24.1-939.6); being Caucasian and non-Jewish (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3-13.5); being Caucasian and Jewish (OR, 8.8; 95% CI, 2.2-35.5); and being married (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.6-6.3). Use of BRCA1/2 counseling was inversely associated with increasing age (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.28 for >60 compared to <50). As suggested by the association with family history, use of counseling was associated with having a higher predicted risk of breast cancer and a higher predicted risk of carrying a BRCA1 mutation (P < 0.0001). Women who sought clinical BRCA1/2 testing in the year after it became commercially available were not the "worried well," but women at significantly increased risk of carrying a mutation. However, even after adjusting for breast cancer risk, there was a substantial racial disparity in use of BRCA1/2 testing. These findings suggest that ensuring equal access to testing for high-risk individuals irrespective of race may be as important for the future of predictive genetic testing as restricting the use of testing among low-risk individuals.     

A survey of preventive measures among BRCA1 mutation carriers from Poland

Among women with a BRCA1 mutation, the lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancer are elevated. Several measures for reducing cancer risk in carriers of BRCA1 mutations have been proposed, including prophylactic surgery and tamoxifen chemoprevention. It is not yet known to what extent women with mutations have adopted these various preventive measures. We surveyed 414 Polish women with a BRCA1 mutation who had received counseling about various preventive strategies. Each woman completed a survey for a minimum of 18 months after receiving her genetic result. A high proportion of women reported having had an oophorectomy to reduce breast and ovarian cancer risk (49.1%). In contrast, only 11% had taken tamoxifen and only 5% had undergone a preventive mastectomy. Most of the women (81%) had a screening mammogram during the follow-up period. Oral contraceptives and breastfeeding are believed to protect against ovarian cancer, but only 9% of women had taken the birth control pill for 3 years or more and 27% had breastfed for 1 year or more. In summary, approximately one-half of Polish women with a BRCA1 mutation had taken an active step to reduce their risk of breast cancer within 18 months of receiving a positive result. A greater effort should be made to promote breastfeeding and use of oral contraceptive as risk-reducing measures.     

BRCA1/2 testing in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families III: risk perception and screening

This study aimed to ascertain whether cancer risk perception changed following the offer and subsequent receipt of BRCA1/2 results and to evaluate breast and ovarian screening practices in testers and non-testers. Members of thirteen HBOC families were offered BRCA1/2 testing for a known family mutation. Perceived risk for developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer or for carrying the familial BRCA1/2 mutation, was assessed at baseline and again at 6-9 months following the receipt of test results. Breast and ovarian cancer screening data were obtained at both time-points. A total of 138 women participated and 120 (87%) chose to be tested for a known familial mutation. Twenty-eight women (24%) were identified as carriers and their perceived ovarian cancer risk and their perception of being a mutation carrier increased (P = 0.01 for both). Those testing negatives had a significant decrease in all dimensions of risk perception (P < 0.01). Regression analysis showed test results to be strong predictors of follow-up risk perception (P = 0.001), however, they were not predictors of screening practices at follow-up. Testers were more likely to have completed a clinical breast exam following testing than decliners. Mammography was positively associated with baseline adherence, age, and intrusive thoughts. Ovarian cancer worries only predicted pelvic ultrasound screening post-testing. Baseline practices and psychological factors appear to be stronger predictors of health behavior than test results.     

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Turkish breast/ovarian cancer patients

In this study we genotyped Turkish breast/ovarian cancer patients for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations: protein truncation test (PTT) for exon 11 BRCA1 of and, multiplex PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for BRCA2, complemented by DNA sequencing. In addition, a modified restriction assay was used for analysis of the predominant Jewish mutations: 185delAG, 5382InsC, Tyr978X (BRCA1) and 6174delT (BRCA2). Eighty three breast/ovarian cancer patients were screened: twenty three had a positive family history of breast/ovarian cancer, ten were males with breast cancer at any age, in eighteen the disease was diagnosed under 40 years of age, one patient had ovarian cancer in addition to breast cancer and one patient had ovarian cancer. All the rest (n=30) were considered sporadic breast cancer cases. Overall, 3 pathogenic mutations (3/53-5.7%) were detected, all in high risk individuals (3/23-13%): a novel (2990insA) and a previously described mutation (R1203X) in BRCA1, and a novel mutation (9255delT) in BRCA2. In addition, three missense mutations [two novel (T42S, N2742S) and a previously published one (S384F)] and two neutral polymorphisms (P9P, P2532P) were detected in BRCA2. Notably none of the male breast cancer patients harbored any mutation, and none of the tested individuals carried any of the Jewish mutations. Our findings suggest that there are no predominant mutations within exon 11 of the BRCA1 and in BRCA2 gene in Turkish high risk families.     

Tolerance for uncertainty and perceived risk among women receiving uninformative BRCA1/2 test results

Women who receive uninformative BRCA1/2 genetic test results face ongoing uncertainty about their future cancer risks. This article prospectively examined the influence of intolerance for uncertainty and perceived breast cancer risk on psychological distress following the receipt of uninformative BRCA1/2 test results. Sixty-four women who received uninformative BRCA1/2 mutation test results completed measures of Intolerance for Uncertainty, perceived breast cancer risk, and measures of cancer-related, genetic testing, and general distress. Cancer-related (DeltaR(2) = 0.18, P < or = 0.001), general (DeltaR(2) = 0.04, P < or = 0.05), and genetic testing distress (DeltaR(2) = 0.12, P < or = 0.01) were associated with intolerance for uncertainty at 1 month post-disclosure. The interaction of intolerance for uncertainty and breast cancer perceived risk predicted cancer-related (DeltaR(2) = 0.10, P < or = 0.001) and genetic testing distress (DeltaR(2) = 0.09, P < or = 0.01) at 6 months post-disclosure. Distress was highest among patients with highest perceived risk and intolerance for uncertainty, suggesting that those who have difficulty coping with their ambiguous risk are at risk for long-term distress. The clinical and research implications of these results are discussed.