USPSTF Updates BRCA-Related Cancer Screening Recommendation
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated its 2013 recommendation on risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancers in women.1
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Harmful inherited BRCA mutations are known to be associated with high lifetime risks of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, as well as fallopian tube and peritoneal cancers.2 The National Cancer Institute reports that 72% and 69% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, respectively, will develop breast cancer by age 80 years.2 For ovarian cancer, corresponding figures are 44% and 17%, respectively, by age 80 years.2
In its updated statement, the USPSTF recommends:1
- Primary care clinicians should assess women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or who have an ancestry associated with BRCA 1/2 gene mutations with an appropriate brief familial risk assessment tool. Women with a positive result on the risk assessment tool should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, genetic testing. (B recommendation).
- Primary care clinicians should not perform routine risk assessment, genetic counseling, or genetic testing for women whose personal or family history or ancestry is not associated with potentially harmful BRCA 1/2 gene mutations. (D recommendation).
—Christina Vogt
References:
1. US Preventive Services Task Force. Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2019;322(7):652-665. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10987.
2. BRCA mutations: cancer risk and genetic testing. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet. Reviewed January 30, 2018. Accessed August 20, 2019.