Knowledge, Attitudes, and Utilization of Brca Testing Among Obstetricians and Gynecologists

<p>Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is an inherited cancer syndrome that is associated with mutations in the <em>BRCA1</em> and <em>BRCA2</em> genes. Carriers of <em>BRCA</em> mutations, both men and women, are at an increased risk for developing certain cancers. Carriers are most notably at an increased risk to develop breast and ovarian cancers; however an increased risk for prostate cancer, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers has also been associated with these mutations. In 2009 the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a practice bulletin stating that evaluating a patient’s risk for HBOC should be a routine part of obstetric and gynecologic practice.</p> <p>A survey was created and completed by 83 obstetricians and gynecologists in the greater Houston, TX area. The survey consisted of four sections designed to capture demographic information, attitudes towards HBOC and <em>BRCA</em> testing, utilization of <em>BRCA</em> testing, and the overall knowledge of respondents with regards to HBOC and <em>BRCA</em> testing. This study found that the majority of participants indicated that they felt that obstetricians and gynecologists should have the primary responsibility of identifying patients who may be at increased risk of carrying a <em>BRCA</em> mutation. Moreover, this study found that the majority of participants indicated that they felt comfortable or very comfortable in identifying patients at an increased risk of carrying a <em>BRCA</em> mutation. However, only about a quarter of participants indicated that they order <em>BRCA</em> genetic testing one to two times per month or more. Lastly, this study demonstrates that the overall knowledge of HBOC and <em>BRCA</em> testing among this population of obstetricians and gynecologists is poor.</p> <p>The results of this study stress the need for more education regarding HBOC, genetic testing, and strategies for identifying patients that may be at risk for having a mutation in a <em>BRCA</em> gene. Furthermore, it reiterates the importance of raising awareness to current practice guidelines and recommendations that can assist obstetricians and gynecologist to better identify and manage patients that may be at an increased risk of having HBOC.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Masters of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (MS)

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Nassef, Salma

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cathy M. Sullivan, MS, CGC
• Kate L. Wilson, MS, CGC
• Karen M. Schneider, MD

• BRCA
• HBOC
• knowledge
• obstetricians and gynecologists
• knowledge score
• utilization
• Genetics
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Oncology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/utgsbs_dissertations/283

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu:utgsbs_dissertations-1279