Timing of BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing in women with ovarian cancer

To determine when, in reference to the course of their treatment, women with ovarian cancer are seen for genetic counseling, as well as to determine what factors influence this timing.

: Single institution retrospective chart review of patients with ovarian cancer who underwent BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing.

Thirty-three percent of our sample (n = 100) were seen for genetic counseling after ovarian cancer recurrence. In four cases, genetic test results were disclosed to next of kin. Thirty percent of women seen for genetic counseling after recurrence received their initial treatment elsewhere. Women with a history of breast cancer were significantly more likely to be seen for genetic counseling at an earlier phase of their treatment than women with no history of breast cancer.

We found that one third of patients with ovarian cancer who underwent genetic testing were seen for initial genetic counseling after disease recurrence. In some cases, genetic counseling took place during the end of life care, with genetic test results disclosed to next of kin. Given the poor prognosis of women with recurrent ovarian cancer, we advocate providing genetic counseling at the time of initial ovarian cancer treatment both in comprehensive cancer centers and in community oncology settings.