All breast cancer patients should get genetic testing, surgeons say
(Apologies if posted before)
Genetic testing should be made available for all patients diagnosed with breast cancer, according to guidelines published Thursday by the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
The professional medical society has more than 3,000 members in the United States and 35 countries throughout the world. Its new recommendations follow a December study that found a similar rate of genetic mutations in breast cancer patients who did not qualify for testing under previous criteria and those who did.
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Along with Beitsch's work, the new guidelines are based on an extensive review of similar studies. The new guidelines also recommend re-evaluating breast cancer patients who underwent genetic tests in the past to check for newly identified breast cancer-linked genes.
The original guidelines for the genetic testing of breast cancer patients were established about 20 years ago by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a nonprofit alliance of 28 cancer centers dedicated to improving patient care, Beitsch explained.
It has since become known that 11 "major" gene mutations, including BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, can cause breast cancer while 25 or 30 other genetic variants are also linked to the disease, Beitsch said. It is also known that up to 10% of all breast cancers are hereditary.
More..
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/health/genetic-test-guidelines-breast-cancer-bn/index.html
