Do Enough High-Risk Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Receive Genetic Testing?

As costs associated with BRCA mutation testing have dropped, it is worthwhile to evaluate whether and how such testing is being performed. Investigators identified women (age range, 20–79) in two U.S. regions with recently diagnosed breast cancer, then surveyed them about their risk factors and whether they wanted — and received — genetic testing and counseling.

Among 2529 respondents (response rate, 71%; mean age, 62; 57% white, 18% black, 71% with some college education), 66% reported wanting testing and 29% reported being tested. Among the 773 respondents at high mutation risk, 81% wanted testing, 71% discussed testing with a health professional, 40% received genetic counseling, and 53% were tested (among these tested women, 62% received …