Abstract CS1-2: Breast cancer genetic testing and results in diverse populations

Abstract

Abstract Sequencing multiple (20-100) cancer-associated genes has rapidly become the clinical standard for hereditary cancer risk assessment. In patients with breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been most widely tested, but a significant number of patients are now found to carry pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variants in many other genes whose cancer risks are less well-characterized. Moreover, multiple-gene sequencing is associated with a higher rate of uncertain results (variants of uncertain significance), which are more prevalent among racial/ethnic minorities. While pathogenic variants in less well-characterized genes are prevalent, the appropriate management of carriers remains unclear. Questions remain about the magnitude of risk associated with a pathogenic variant in a specific gene; the spectrum of associated cancers; and the extent to which these factors are modified by family cancer history. Data are emerging from epidemiologic studies in various settings. However, clinical practice requires real-time decisions about whom to test, and for which cancers to screen, despite an incomplete evidence base. This lecture will review the current state of the science on genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk. We have recently collaborated with genetic testing laboratories to link the results of clinical genetic testing to Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry records of >150,000 breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer patients. I will present results from the SEER-GeneLINK research initiative, focusing on the use, correlates and outcomes of genetic testing on the population level. Citation Format: Kurian A. Breast cancer genetic testing and results in diverse populations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr CS1-2.