Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and ovarian cancer screening in 1077 women after BRCA testing

Ovarian Cancer Risk-Reduction and Screening in BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers

Objective: To determine the utilization of risk-reducing strategies and screening protocols for ovarian cancer in female BRCA1/2 carriers. Methods: This study was a sub-analysis of female participants from a larger multicenter, cross-sectional survey of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers unaffected by cancer. The questionnaire was administered electronically via email at four institutions located in the northeast United States. Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test. Results: The survey was completed by 104 female BRCA mutation carriers. BRCA subtypes included 54.3% BRCA2, 41.0% BRCA1, and 2.9% both. The age at which patients underwent genetic testing varied 21.2% were 18-24 years, 25.0% were 25-34 years, 29.8% were 35-44 years, and 24.0% were 45 years or older. Nearly, all respondents (97.1%) reported that a provider had discussed risk-reducing surgeries. Of the 79 females who underwent genetic testing before 45 years of age, 53.2% reported that a health care provider recommended taking combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer, and, of these women, 88.1% chose to use them. COCs were offered at higher rates among women who were younger at the age of genetic testing (18-24: 86%, 25-34: 62%, 35-44: 23%; p < 0.0001). Approximately half (55.8%) of the respondents reported having been offered increased screening for possible early detection of ovarian cancer, of which 81.0% chose to undergo screening. The majority utilized a combination of transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA125 measurements. There were no differences observed in screening utilization based on BRCA mutation type. Conclusion: In our cohort of female BRCA mutation carriers, risk-reducing surgery was offered to almost all women, whereas only half were offered risk-reducing medication and/or increased screening. Further investigation is needed to identify barriers to the utilization of risk-reducing strategies among this high-risk population.

CA125 Levels in BRCA mutation carriers - a retrospective single center cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers utilizes assessment of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU), despite low sensitivity and specificity. We evaluated the association between CA125 levels, BRCA1/2 mutation status and menopausal status to provide more information on clinical conditions that may influence CA125 levels.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed repeated measurements of CA125 levels and clinical data of 466 women at high risk for ovarian cancer. CA125 levels were compared between women with and without deleterious mutations in BRCA1/2. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the association between age and CA125 serum level. Differences in CA125 levels were assessed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The effect of BRCA1/2 mutation status and menopausal status on the change in CA125 levels was determined by Two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

The CA125 serum levels of premenopausal women (median, 13.8 kU/mL; range, 9.4 - 19.5 kU/mL) were significantly higher than in postmenopausal women (median, 10.4 kU/mL; range, 7.7 - 14.0 kU/mL; p < .001). There was no significant difference in the CA125 levels of BRCA mutation carriers and non-mutation carriers across all age groups (p = .612). When investigating the combined effect of BRCA1/2 mutation and menopausal status, variance analysis revealed a significant interaction between BRCA1/2 mutation status and menopausal status on CA125 levels (p < .001). There was a significant difference between the CA125 levels of premenopausal and postmenopausal women, with a large effect in BRCA mutation carriers (p < .001, d = 1.05), whereas in non-mutation carriers there was only a small effect (p < .001, d = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that hereditary mutations in BRCA1/2 affect the decline of CA125 levels with increasing age. To prove a definite effect of this mutation on the CA125 level, prospective trials need to be conducted to define new cut-off levels of CA 125 in mutation carriers and optimize ovarian cancer screening.

Oral contraceptive use and ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: an international cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers has been shown to decrease with longer duration of oral contraceptive use. Although the effects of using oral contraceptives in the general population are well established (approximately 50% risk reduction in ovarian cancer), the estimated risk reduction in mutation carriers is much less precise because of potential bias and small sample sizes. In addition, only a few studies on oral contraceptive use have examined the associations of duration of use, time since last use, starting age, and calendar year of start with risk of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate in more detail the associations of various characteristics of oral contraceptive use and risk of ovarian cancer, to provide healthcare providers and carriers with better risk estimates.

STUDY DESIGN

In this international retrospective study, ovarian cancer risk associations were assessed using oral contraceptives data on 3989 BRCA1 and 2445 BRCA2 mutation carriers. Age-dependent-weighted Cox regression analyses were stratified by study and birth cohort and included breast cancer diagnosis as a covariate. To minimize survival bias, analyses were left truncated at 5 years before baseline questionnaire. Separate analyses were conducted for each aspect of oral contraceptive use and in a multivariate analysis, including all these aspects. In addition, the analysis of duration of oral contraceptive use was stratified by recency of use.

RESULTS

Oral contraceptives were less often used by mutation carriers who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer (ever use: 58.6% for BRCA1 and 53.5% BRCA2) than by unaffected carriers (ever use: 88.9% for BRCA1 and 80.7% for BRCA2). The median duration of use was 7 years for both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers who developed ovarian cancer and 9 and 8 years for unaffected BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers with ovarian cancer, respectively. For BRCA1 mutation carriers, univariate analyses have shown that both a longer duration of oral contraceptive use and more recent oral contraceptive use were associated with a reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer. However, in multivariate analyses, including duration of use, age at first use, and time since last use, duration of oral contraceptive use proved to be the prominent protective factor (compared with <5 years: 5-9 years [hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-1.12]; >10 years [hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.73]; Ptrend=.008). The inverse association between duration of use and ovarian cancer risk persisted for more than 15 years (duration of ≥10 years; BRCA1 <15 years since last use [hazard ratio, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.43]; BRCA1 >15 years since last use [hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.59]). Univariate results for BRCA2 mutation carriers were similar but were inconclusive because of limited sample size.

CONCLUSION

For BRCA1 mutation carriers, longer duration of oral contraceptive use is associated with a greater reduction in ovarian cancer risk, and the protection is long term.

Uncertainty following an inconclusive result from the BRCA1/2 genetic test: A review about psychological outcomes

BACKGROUND

An inconclusive result from BRCA1/2 genetic testing indicates that a genetic variant of uncertain significance is detected. This case constitutes the majority of genetic test results, but studies specifically addressing the psychological adjustment of people with inconclusive results are scarce.

AIM

To examine psychological outcomes of receiving an uninformative BRCA1/2 test result.

METHODS

PubMed, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were screened for studies focusing on distress, anxiety, and depression levels in individuals with inconclusive genetic test results. This review is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method.

RESULTS

Studies on psychological outcomes of inconclusive BRCA1/2 focused on general and specific distress, anxiety, and depression. Overall, they produced mixed results. These inconsistent findings are probably due to the uncertainty caused by this type of result, that may also influence the decisions of individuals about surveillance and prophylactic options, reducing their compliance. In addition, this review highlights specific risk and protective factors that affect psychological adjustment in individuals with an inconclusive genetic testing result.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with inconclusive genetic test results need specific educational programs and support to better understand the meaning of their results in order to be able to make decisions about surveillance and prophylactic options.

Factors associated with intentions for breast cancer risk management: Does risk group matter?

OBJECTIVE

National guidelines provide breast cancer (BC) risk management recommendations based on estimated lifetime risk. Despite this specificity, it is unclear if women's risk management intentions are or are not guideline concordant. To address this knowledge gap, women at varying risk levels reported intentions for risk-reducing behaviors. Factors associated with intentions, informed by the Health Beliefs Model, were also studied.

METHODS

Women with elevated BC risk (N = 103) were studied and categorized by risk level: moderate (15%-20%), high (greater than or equal to 20%), or very high (BRCA1/2 positive). Participants self-reported BC susceptibility, self-efficacy, and benefits, barriers, and intentions for risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), chemoprevention, improving diet or physical activity, and reducing alcohol use.

RESULTS

Groups significantly differed in RRSO intentions (P < .01); BRCA1/2 positive women had greater intentions for RRSO. Groups did not differ in intentions for RRM, chemoprevention, or lifestyle changes (Ps > .28). In hierarchical linear regression models examining Health Belief Model (HBM) factors, perceived susceptibility was associated with intentions for RRM (β = .169, P = .08). Perceived benefits was associated with intentions for RRM (β = .237, P = .02) and chemoprevention (β = .388, P < .01). Self-efficacy was associated with intentions for physical activity (β = .286, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with guidelines, BRCA1/2 positive women reported greater intentions for RRSO, and risk groups did not differ in intentions for lifestyle changes. Notably, women's intentions for RRM and chemoprevention were guideline discordant; groups did not differ in intentions for these behaviors. Accounting for the effects of risk group, modifiable health beliefs were also associated with risk management intentions; these may represent targets for decision support interventions.

Real-world health services utilisation and outcomes after BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in Ontario, Canada: the What Comes Next Cohort Study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Women who have pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are at greatly increased risks for breast and ovarian cancers. Although risk-reduction strategies can be undertaken by these women, knowledge regarding the uptake of these strategies is limited. Additionally, the healthcare behaviours of women who receive inconclusive test results are not known. This study protocol describes the creation of a retrospective cohort of women who have undergone genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, linking genetic test results with administrative data to quantify the uptake of risk-reduction strategies and to assess long-term cancer and non-cancer outcomes after genetic testing.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Approximately two-thirds of BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in Ontario, Canada is performed at North York General Hospital (NYGH) and Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH), Toronto. We will use registries at these sites to assemble a cohort of approximately 17 000 adult women who underwent BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing from January 2007 to April 2016. Trained chart abstractors will obtain detailed information for all women tested over this period, including demographics, personal and family cancer histories and genetic test results. We will link these data to provincial administrative databases, enabling assessment of healthcare utilisation and long-term outcomes after testing. Study outcomes will include the uptake of breast cancer screening and prophylactic breast and ovarian surgery, cancer incidence and mortality and incidence of non-cancer health outcomes, including cardiovascular, osteoporotic and neurodegenerative disease.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Boards at NYGH (no 16-0035), MSH (no 13-0124) and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (no 275-2016). We plan to disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international meetings.

Oral Contraceptive Use and Breast Cancer Risk: Retrospective and Prospective Analyses From a BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carrier Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

For BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, the association between oral contraceptive preparation (OCP) use and breast cancer (BC) risk is still unclear.

METHODS

Breast camcer risk associations were estimated from OCP data on 6030 BRCA1 and 3809 BRCA2 mutation carriers using age-dependent Cox regression, stratified by study and birth cohort. Prospective, left-truncated retrospective and full-cohort retrospective analyses were performed.

RESULTS

For BRCA1 mutation carriers, OCP use was not associated with BC risk in prospective analyses (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.75 to 1.56), but in the left-truncated and full-cohort retrospective analyses, risks were increased by 26% (95% CI = 6% to 51%) and 39% (95% CI = 23% to 58%), respectively. For BRCA2 mutation carriers, OCP use was associated with BC risk in prospective analyses (HR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.97), but retrospective analyses were inconsistent (left-truncated: HR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.85 to 1.33; full cohort: HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.28 to 1.81). There was evidence of increasing risk with duration of use, especially before the first full-term pregnancy (BRCA1: both retrospective analyses, P < .001 and P = .001, respectively; BRCA2: full retrospective analysis, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective analyses did not show that past use of OCP is associated with an increased BC risk for BRCA1 mutation carriers in young middle-aged women (40-50 years). For BRCA2 mutation carriers, a causal association is also not likely at those ages. Findings between retrospective and prospective analyses were inconsistent and could be due to survival bias or a true association for younger women who were underrepresented in the prospective cohort. Given the uncertain safety of long-term OCP use for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, indications other than contraception should be avoided and nonhormonal contraceptive methods should be discussed.

Evaluation of the "Angelina Jolie Effect" on Screening Mammography Utilization in an Academic Center

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to understand the impact on screening mammography at our institution, comparing weekly utilization in the 2 years before and the 2 years after Ms Angelina Jolie disclosed in the New York Times on May 13, 2013, that she had had a prophylactic double mastectomy.

METHODS

All 48,110 consecutive screening mammograms conducted at our institution between May 16, 2011, and May 16, 2015, were selected from our electronic medical record system. We used interrupted time series statistical models and graphical methods on utilization data to understand utilization changes before and after Ms Jolie's news.

RESULTS

The graphed trend of weekly screening mammogram utilization failed to show changes around the time of interest. Analytical models and statistical tests also failed to show a step change increase or acceleration of utilization around May 2013. However, graphical and time series analyses showed a flattening of utilization in the middle of 2014.

CONCLUSIONS

In our well-powered analysis in a large regional breast imaging center, we found no support for the hypothesis that this celebrity news drove increased screening.

Diagnostic markers for the detection of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers

Background

Screening for ovarian cancer (OC) in women at high risk consists of a combination of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and transvaginal ultrasound, despite their low sensitivity and specificity. This could be improved by the combination of several biomarkers, which has been shown in average risk patients but has not been investigated until now in female BRCA mutation carriers.

Methods

Using a multiplex, bead-based, immunoassay system, we analyzed the concentrations of leptin, prolactin, osteopontin, insulin-like growth factor II, macrophage inhibitory factor, CA125 and human epididymis antigen 4 in 26 healthy wild type women, 26 healthy BRCA1 mutation carriers, 28 wildtype OC patients and 26 OC patients with BRCA1 mutation.

Results

Using the ROC analysis, we found a high overall sensitivity of 94.3% in differentiating healthy controls from OC patients with comparable results in the wildtype subgroup (sensitivity 92.8%, AUC = 0.988; p = 5.2e-14) as well as in BRCA1 mutation carriers (sensitivity 95.2%, AUC = 0.978; p = 1.7e-15) at an overall specificity of 92.3%.

The used algorithm also allowed to identify healthy BRCA1 mutation carriers when compared to healthy wildtype women (sensitivity 88.4%, specificity 80.7%, AUC = 0.895; p = 6e-08), while this was less pronounced in patients with OC (sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 67.8%, AUC = 0.724; p = 0.00065).

Conclusion

We have developed an algorithm, which can differentiate between healthy women and OC patients and have for the first time shown, that such an algorithm can also be used in BRCA mutation carriers. To clarify a suggested benefit to the existing early detection program, large prospective trials with mainly early stage OC cases are warranted.

The effect of referral for genetic counseling on genetic testing and surgical prevention in women at high risk for ovarian cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend genetic counseling and testing for women who have a pedigree suggestive of an inherited susceptibility for ovarian cancer. The authors evaluated the effect of referral to genetic counseling on genetic testing and prophylactic oophorectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Data from an electronic mammography reporting system identified 12,919 women with a pedigree that included breast cancer, of whom 625 were identified who had a high risk for inherited susceptibility to ovarian cancer using a risk-assessment questionnaire. Of these, 458 women provided informed consent and were randomized 1:1 to intervention consisting of a genetic counseling referral (n = 228) or standard clinical care (n = 230).

RESULTS

Participants were predominantly aged 45 to 65 years, and 30% and 20% reported a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of ovarian cancer, respectively. Eighty-five percent of women in the intervention group participated in a genetic counseling session. Genetic testing was reported by 74 (33%) and 20 (9%) women in the intervention and control arms (P < .005), respectively. Five women in the intervention arm and 2 in the control arm were identified as germline mutation carriers. Ten women in the intervention arm and 3 in the control arm underwent prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine referral of women at high risk for ovarian cancer to genetic counseling promotes genetic testing and prophylactic surgery. The findings from the current randomized controlled trial demonstrate the value of implementing strategies that target women at high risk for ovarian cancer to ensure they are offered access to recommended care. CA Cancer J Clin 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society, Inc. Cancer 2016;122:3509-3518. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Genetic counseling content: How does it impact health behavior?

Women with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer face decisions about screening (transvaginal ultrasound, CA125, mammography, breast exams) and proactive (before cancer) or reactive (after cancer) surgery (oophorectomy, mastectomy). The content of genetic counseling and its relation to these key health behaviors is largely unexamined. Ashkenazi Jewish women (n = 78) were surveyed through the process of genetic testing and had audiorecorded counseling sessions available for Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count analysis. Proportions for participant and counselor cognitive and affective content during sessions were used as primary predictor variables in linear mixed models for change in intentions for screening and treatment and in self-reported screening. Cognitive and affective content were important predictors of behavior. Counselor cognitive content was associated with ovarian screening. An interaction effect also emerged for CA-125, such that counselor cognitive content plus participant cognitive content or counselor affective content were associated with more screening. Teasing out the factors in risk communication that impact decision-making are critical, and affect from a risk communicator can spur action, such as cancer screening.

A comprehensive approach to the identification and management of the BRCA patient

As the testing criteria for BRCA expand, we are identifying a greater number of young women at significant risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Fortunately, there is strong evidence to support risk reduction from mastectomy and oophorectomy. However, these surgeries come with significant psychological and physical health consequences. For breast cancer, screening with mammogram and magnetic resonance imaging may be a reasonable approach for a woman who does not desire surgery. However, there is no evidence to suggest any efficacy in screening for ovarian cancer, and women electing to not undergo surgery must have a detailed discussion with their physician regarding the risks and benefits of different management strategies. As more women are electing to undergo surgical risk reduction, providers must also be able to counsel and care for these women who will face unique health challenges after surgical menopause at a young age. A review of the current evidence behind management of the BRCA woman follows, with a focus on areas of controversy and current research.

Use of risk-reducing surgeries in a prospective cohort of 1,499 BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

Inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) confer very high risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic testing and counseling can reduce risk and death from these cancers if appropriate preventive strategies are applied, including risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) or risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM). However, some women who might benefit from these interventions do not take full advantage of them. We evaluated RRSO and RRM use in a prospective cohort of 1,499 women with inherited BRCA1/2 mutations from 20 centers who enrolled in the study without prior cancer or RRSO or RRM and were followed forward for the occurrence of these events. We estimated the age-specific usage of RRSO/RRM in this cohort using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Use of RRSO was 45% for BRCA1 and 34% for BRCA2 by age 40, and 86% for BRCA1 and 71% for BRCA2 by age 50. RRM usage was estimated to be 46% by age 70 in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. BRCA1 mutation carriers underwent RRSO more frequently than BRCA2 mutation carriers overall, but the uptake of RRSO in BRCA2 was similar after mutation testing and in women born since 1960. RRM uptake was similar for both BRCA1 and BRCA2. Childbearing influenced the use of RRSO and RRM in both BRCA1 and BRCA2. Uptake of RRSO is high, but some women are still diagnosed with ovarian cancer before undergoing RRSO. This suggests that research is needed to understand the optimal timing of RRSO to maximize risk reduction and limit potential adverse consequences of RRSO.

Enhancement of ovarian tumor detection with αvβ3 integrin-targeted ultrasound molecular imaging agent in laying hens: a preclinical model of spontaneous ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

Because of the lack of an effective early detection test, ovarian cancer (OVCA) in most cases is detected at late stages and remains a fatal gynecological malignancy. Molecular imaging provides information on the changes associated with the development of a disease at molecular levels. Because angiogenesis is an early event in tumor development, increased expression of αvβ3 integrins by ovarian tumor-associated angiogenic microvessels provides a target for noninvasive ultrasound imaging to detect early-stage OVCA. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of αvβ3 integrin-targeted molecular imaging agent in enhancing the detection of spontaneous ovarian tumor in laying hens, a preclinical model of OVCA.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 2 phases, including a cross-sectional exploratory followed by a prospective monitoring of hens for 45 weeks with targeted ultrasound imaging. Changes in ultrasound signal intensity were determined before and after the injection of αvβ3 integrin-targeted imaging agent in hens with spontaneous OVCA. All images were digitally stored. After scanning, ovarian tissues from all hens were collected and processed for histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

Ultrasound signal intensity was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in hens with early-stage OVCA than in normal hens and increased further in late-stage OVCA. Compared with that in normal cases, ultrasound signal intensities increased approximately 19-fold in early stage and 26-fold in late-stage OVCA. Differences in signal enhancement were not observed among different histologic subtypes of OVCA. Higher signal intensities from targeted imaging of ovarian tumors were associated with increased number of αvβ3 integrin-expressing ovarian microvessels. Prospective monitoring of hens with αvβ3 integrin-targeted imaging agent detected OVCA at early stage.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that αvβ3 integrin-targeted imaging agent enhanced the visualization of ovarian tumor-associated angiogenic microvessels in hens with early-stage OVCA and may form a foundation for clinical studies.

Comparison of risk management strategies between women testing positive for a BRCA variant of unknown significance and women with known BRCA deleterious mutations

PURPOSE

The aim of this article is to describe cancer risk-reducing behaviors of women with BRCA variants of unknown significance.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review from 1995 to 2012 identified women with BRCA mutations in a northern California community system. Exclusion criteria included loss of membership/death within 1 year of testing, prior ovarian cancer, or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Primary outcomes were rate of risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 69 variant of unknown significance carriers was 50 vs. 47 years for the 305 women with a deleterious mutation. Women with a variant of unknown significance were followed for a median of 69 months. Among women with a variant of unknown significance, 30% underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and 11% underwent risk-reducing mastectomy, as compared with 74 and 44%, respectively, for women with a deleterious mutation. Women with a deleterious mutation were more likely to undergo surveillance in the first year after testing. The odds ratios are as follows: 2.1 for mammogram, 6.0 for magnetic resonance imaging, 7.7 for Ca-125, and 5.0 for transvaginal ultrasound. Fifty-six percent of women with a variant of unknown significance were reclassified after a median of 39 months, longer than the median time to risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (18.6 months) or risk-reducing mastectomy (20.1 months).

CONCLUSION

Uptake of risk-reducing strategies among women with a variant of unknown significance is lower than among women with a deleterious mutation. Given the prognostic uncertainty and high rate of reclassification for women with a variant of unknown significance, individualizing counseling and directing efforts toward surveillance, chemoprevention, or salpingectomy are recommended.

Risk management options elected by women after testing positive for a BRCA mutation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the uptake of risk-reducing options for the management of ovarian and breast cancer risk in BRCA mutation carriers in a large community based integrated health system in Northern California.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of deleterious BRCA mutation carriers (1995-2012) was evaluated for consistency with NCCN guidelines for risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) by age of 35-40, risk reducing mastectomy (RRM), as well as surveillance practices, including pelvic ultrasound, CA 125, mammogram, and breast MRI. Secondary outcomes included the use of chemoprevention and hormone replacement.

RESULTS

Of the 305 eligible women, 170 were BRCA1 positive, and 135 were BRCA2 positive. Seventy four percent underwent RRSO with only 17% under age 40, while 44% underwent RRM. The median time from the test to both RRSO and RRM was 6 months. In the first year after BRCA diagnosis, 45% underwent a pelvic ultrasound, dropping to 2.3% by year 5. In year 1, 47% had a CA 125, dropping to 2% by year 5. The number of women undergoing annual MRI and mammogram fell similarly over time. Sixteen percent of BRCA carriers used oral contraceptives (OCPs) and only one patient used tamoxifen for chemoprevention.

CONCLUSION

Uptake of RRSO in BRCA carriers in a population based health system is high, however the majority of women do not have RRSO by the NCCN recommended age. Compliance with surveillance is low and rapidly declines even 1 year out from testing. Attention needs to be focused on the earlier identification of BRCA mutation carriers with consolidated and standardized care to improve risk reduction.