A dedicated follow-up clinic for BRCA mutation carriers

Rinat Yerushalmi*, Shulamith Rizel, Dalia Zoref, Eran Sharon, Ram Eitan, Gad Sabah, Ahuva Grubstein, Yael Rafson, Maya Cohen, Ada Magen, Iehudit Birenboim, David Margel, Rachel Ozlavo, Aaron Sulkes, Baruch Brenner, Shlomit Perry

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Women who carry the BRCA gene mutation have an up to 80% chance of developing cancer, primarily of breast and ovarian origin. Confirmation of carrier status is described by many women as an overwhelming, life-changing event. Healthy individuals harboring a BRCA mutation constitute a high risk population with unique needs, often overlooked by health authorities. As such, we felt the need to create a specialized service dedicated specifically to this high risk population. The clinic staff comprises an experienced multidisciplinary team of health professionals who can support the medical and emotional needs of this population. Since its inception in 2001 the clinic has served 318 women. Their mean age is46 years. With a median follow-up of 46 months, 21 women have developed malignancies, including 17 breast cancers, 1 ovarian cancer and 3 additional cancers. All but one of the patients above the age of 40 underwent bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO). The median and mean ages at BSO were 46.5 and 48 years, respectively (range 33-68). However, only 28.3% underwent bilateral preventive mastectomy. A multidisciplinary clinic for BRCA mutation carriers provides a "home" for this unique population with unmet needs. The high rate of BSO in women before natural menopause indicates that both the medical community and this population are aware of international guidelines supporting this procedure. We believe that a dedicated clinic with a multidisciplinary team is likely to contribute to the health, quality of life and survival of BRCA carriers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)549-552
Number of pages4
JournalIsrael Medical Association Journal
Volume18
Issue number9
StatePublished - Sep 2016

Keywords

  • BRCA carriers
  • Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)
  • Prophylactic mastectomy

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