Risk assessment in non-Ashkenazi women attending a cancer risk assessment clinic

Abstract

6127 Background: Our Women's Cancer Screening and Prevention Project, a multidisciplinary cancer risk assessment clinic, was launched in April 2001. Our objective was to determine the demand for a women's cancer early detection and prevention program in a public metropolitan hospital serving immigrant women. Methods: Patient recruitment was accomplished via outreach strategies targeting community organizations and inreach programs within the institution. Patients visiting the clinic were seen by both gynecologic and medical oncologists, and underwent in-depth interviews, physical examinations and discussion of risk profiles. Risk categories were assigned for each woman using our IRB-approved questionnaire, mutation probability models, and discussion of each case at our weekly medical meeting. Recommendations were made concerning genetic counseling and testing, surveillance, risk reduction strategies and available clinical trials. Results: Among the 163 patients who have attended our clinic, 150 (92%) are not Ashkenazi. Our patients are Latina (43%), Caucasian (29%), African-American (19%) and Asian (8%). The median age of patients seen was 39, (range 20 - 76). 30% of our patients were classified as high risk (greater than 15% chance of harboring a deleterious BRCA 1 or 2 mutation), and surveillance and risk reduction recommendations were commensurate with this assessment. These high risk patients included 23 Latinas, 10 Asians and 7 African Americans. Results of genetic counseling and testing are pending at this time. Conclusions: The role and potential impact or breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment in populations not commonly associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers deserves further attention. Supported by the Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research. No significant financial relationships to disclose.