Francisco Esteva: Universal genetic testing may not be as impactful as previously thought

Francisco J. Esteva, Chief, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Lenox Hill Hospital, posted the following on LinkedIn:

“Universal genetic testing for newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer may not be as impactful as previously thought. A recent study indicates that while some patients do have germline pathogenic variants, the prevalence is lower than expected in certain groups. Additionally, no significant clinicopathological factors were linked to these variants, suggesting that broad testing may not always be necessary.

The study emphasizes the need for more targeted testing strategies and data from diverse populations. This approach will help us better understand genetic risks for breast cancer and optimize the use of genetic testing resources.

Recent consensus panel guidelines recommend offering BRCA1/2 testing to women with breast cancer who do not meet age-based criteria but are candidates for PARP inhibitor therapy for early-stage or metastatic disease. Candidacy is based on eligibility criteria from clinical trials for BRCA-associated metastatic breast cancer, as well as OlympiA criteria for early-stage disease.

Read the full article in the comments below! Do you recommend genetic testing to all patients with invasive breast cancer?”

Source: Francisco J. Esteva/LinkedIn