abstract: Family History and Women With Ovarian Cancer: Is it Asked and Does it Matter?: An Observational Study BRCA and/or Lynch Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine how many women in an ovarian cancer (OC) study cohort had a family history (FH) recorded in their case notes and whether appropriate action was taken on the basis of that FH.

Results: Family history was not consistently recorded. Although FH was recorded in the majority of women, 14 women had no FH recorded. In 63 women, the FH was recorded as not significant, and in 15 cases, FH information was insufficient to complete a risk assessment. Twenty-two women had significant FH meeting criteria for specialist genetics referral. In 15 of these 22 cases, the relevant history suggestive of hereditary breast cancer and OC (due to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations) or Lynch syndrome had been documented, but no action was recorded, and its significance was not appreciated.

Conclusions: These data indicate that training in recognizing relevant FH is needed for clinicians looking after women with OC. .....