Know:BRCA — A New Educational Initiative from the CDC

Tandem websites geared toward the public and clinicians should raise awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Although many women are aware that breast and ovarian cancers can have hereditary components, the public's knowledge about BRCA mutations, testing, and ramifications of carrier status is limited. The goal of the CDC's Know:BRCA initiative is to raise awareness of how BRCA mutations affect risk for breast and ovarian cancer, particularly among women younger than 40.

The Know:BRCA general website allows users to create secure online accounts for entering personal and family history, age, and ethnicity. The assessment calculator then indicates whether or not the woman has excess risk for carrying a BRCA mutation. Users can print their results or share them online with their clinicians.

The clinician-oriented Know:BRCA website includes informatio…

Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Know:BRCA — A New Educational Initiative from the CDC

Topics

Author