Clinical Research Directory

Cascade Testing in Families With Newly Diagnosed Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

Identification of BRCA mutations in ovarian cancer patients may help guide cancer therapies, prognosis, post-operative screening, and other preventative treatments beyond the initial diagnosis. Likewise, genetic testing of ovarian cancer patients for these germline mutations provides invaluable information for families regarding cancer risk, genetic testing, and subsequently indication for risk-reducing surgery. Cascade testing provides a unique opportunity to identify carriers of a deleterious BRCA mutation which can allow for surgical and chemoprevention of prevention of ovarian cancer. There is currently no literature on the rates of referral for the family members.