Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC)

Most cancers are not inherited. However, about 10% of breast and ovarian cancers result from a genetic mutation. In her lecture, “Identification of High-risk Patients,” Amanda Brandt, a certified genetic counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, talks about the importance of family cancer history, differentiates between hereditary and sporadic cancer, and discusses BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and their associated cancer risks.

Most cancers are not inherited. However, about 10% of breast and ovarian cancers result from a genetic mutation. In her lecture, “Identification of High-risk Patients,” Amanda Brandt, a certified genetic counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, talks about the importance of family cancer history, differentiates between hereditary and sporadic cancer, and discusses BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and their associated cancer risks.

Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are being diagnosed with cancer earlier than their moms or aunts, almost an average, eight years earlier than their relatives of the previous generation. Collecting family cancer histories and conducting genetic testing play a key role identifying women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. In her lecture, Kaylene Ready, a certified genetic counselor, describes the clinical applications and limitations of the models used to estimate the likelihood of a BRCA mutation.

Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are being diagnosed with cancer earlier than their moms or aunts, almost an average, eight years earlier than their relatives of the previous generation. Collecting family cancer histories and conducting genetic testing play a key role identifying women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. In her lecture, Kaylene Ready, a certified genetic counselor, describes the clinical applications and limitations of the models used to estimate the likelihood of a BRCA mutation.

Most women have a 10-11% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. However, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Banu Arun, Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that’s why it’s important to evaluate family history carefully. In this lecture, Dr. Arun discusses breast cancer risk management options, including screening, chemoprevention, and surgery, for patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Most women have a 10-11% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. However, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Banu Arun, Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that’s why it’s important to evaluate family history carefully. In this lecture, Dr. Arun discusses breast cancer risk management options, including screening, chemoprevention, and surgery, for patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Of all gynecologic cancers, ovarian cancer is the number one cause of death. Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can have a 15% to 40% risk of having this deadly disease, compared to a risk of less than 0.2% in women in the general population. Dr. Karen Lu, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Co-Medical Director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says knowing the BRCA status helps better define a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer.

Of all gynecologic cancers, ovarian cancer is the number one cause of death. Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can have a 15% to 40% risk of having this deadly disease, compared to a risk of less than 0.2% in women in the general population. Dr. Karen Lu, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Co-Medical Director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says knowing the BRCA status helps better define a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer.

About 5% of patients with breast cancer and about 10% of women with ovarian cancer have HBOC. In this lecture, “Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Case Studies,” two certified genetic counselors, Amanda Brandt and Kaylene Ready, present patient case studies that compare and contrast families with sporadic cancer vs. HBOC and discuss when and what type of genetic testing is indicated.

About 5% of patients with breast cancer and about 10% of women with ovarian cancer have HBOC. In this lecture, “Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Case Studies,” two certified genetic counselors, Amanda Brandt and Kaylene Ready, present patient case studies that compare and contrast families with sporadic cancer vs. HBOC and discuss when and what type of genetic testing is indicated.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant women and tends to affect women in their mid-30s. Dr. Jennifer Litton, Assistant Professor of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that “approximately 1 in 3,000 to 3 in 10,000 deliveries occur in women who’ve also been diagnosed with breast cancer.” Additionally, women who have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation tend to develop breast cancer at an earlier age, which means that these women are more likely to develop breast cancer during their childbearing years. In this lecture, Dr. Litton outlines the epidemiology of breast cancer during pregnancy, diagnosis, staging, locoregional therapy, and systemic therapy, and she discusses outcomes in the children born to women who had chemotherapy during their pregnancy.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant women and tends to affect women in their mid-30s. Dr. Jennifer Litton, Assistant Professor of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that “approximately 1 in 3,000 to 3 in 10,000 deliveries occur in women who’ve also been diagnosed with breast cancer.” Additionally, women who have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation tend to develop breast cancer at an earlier age, which means that these women are more likely to develop breast cancer during their childbearing years. In this lecture, Dr. Litton outlines the epidemiology of breast cancer during pregnancy, diagnosis, staging, locoregional therapy, and systemic therapy, and she discusses outcomes in the children born to women who had chemotherapy during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy and future pregnancies after a breast cancer diagnosis are a significant concern for survivors. There are several key studies addressing this issue. Dr. Jennifer Litton, Assistant Professor of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says the good news is that “women who develop breast cancer do not show an increased risk of dying of breast cancer if they go on to have a future pregnancy.” In her lecture, “Breast Cancer, Pregnancy, and Fertility,” Dr. Litton discusses available information regarding pregnancies after breast cancer and advises how long a woman should wait after diagnosis before trying to become pregnant.

Pregnancy and future pregnancies after a breast cancer diagnosis are a significant concern for survivors. There are several key studies addressing this issue. Dr. Jennifer Litton, Assistant Professor of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says the good news is that “women who develop breast cancer do not show an increased risk of dying of breast cancer if they go on to have a future pregnancy.” In her lecture, “Breast Cancer, Pregnancy, and Fertility,” Dr. Litton discusses available information regarding pregnancies after breast cancer and advises how long a woman should wait after diagnosis before trying to become pregnant.

Psychological factors can influence decisions about genetic testing. Dr. Susan Peterson, an Associate Professor in Behavioral Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says family communication, family medical history, and other clinical factors can also influence decisions about genetic testing. In this lecture, Dr. Peterson outlines factors that influence genetic testing and poignantly discusses the psychosocial effects of genetic information and genetic test results on individuals and families.

Psychological factors can influence decisions about genetic testing. Dr. Susan Peterson, an Associate Professor in Behavioral Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says family communication, family medical history, and other clinical factors can also influence decisions about genetic testing. In this lecture, Dr. Peterson outlines factors that influence genetic testing and poignantly discusses the psychosocial effects of genetic information and genetic test results on individuals and families.

Carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are at high risk of having breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Amanda Brandt, a certified genetic counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says genetic tests are available to identify these harmful mutations, but with them come many ethical questions and considerations. In her lecture, Ms. Brandt identifies and discusses many of the important ethical issues arising from genetic testing for hereditary cancer: informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, reproductive decision making, and appropriate testing of children and adolescents.

Carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are at high risk of having breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Amanda Brandt, a certified genetic counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says genetic tests are available to identify these harmful mutations, but with them come many ethical questions and considerations. In her lecture, Ms. Brandt identifies and discusses many of the important ethical issues arising from genetic testing for hereditary cancer: informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, reproductive decision making, and appropriate testing of children and adolescents.

Many patients with cancer are apprehensive about genetic testing. They fear it will result in discrimination by health insurance companies and employers. In her lecture, “Legal Issues in Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer,” Kaylene Ready, a certified genetic counselor, describes two key laws that protect against genetic discrimination: Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Many patients with cancer are apprehensive about genetic testing. They fear it will result in discrimination by health insurance companies and employers. In her lecture, “Legal Issues in Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer,” Kaylene Ready, a certified genetic counselor, describes two key laws that protect against genetic discrimination: Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Counseling patients and their family through the genetic testing process for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer can be challenging. MD Anderson would like to partner with you to best prepare and advise patients for both negative and positive test results. In this video, Genetic counselors give examples of how to effectively deliver test results to patients and family.

Counseling patients and their family through the genetic testing process for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer can be challenging. MD Anderson would like to partner with you to best prepare and advise patients for both negative and positive test results. In this video, Genetic counselors give examples of how to effectively deliver test results to patients and family.