AACR Hosts Cancer Disparities Conference in Miami, Fla. abstract online Sept

This year, the American Association for Cancer Research will host its third conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Fla.

Findings presented at this year’s meeting will include:

• proven communication methods for reaching minority populations;
• strategies to increase enrollment in clinical trials;
• prognosis in lung cancer affected by race;
• breast cancer trends in Arab and Israeli Jewish women;
• the importance of social support and physical activity in survivors; and,
• socioeconomics and access to health care.
To help you plan your coverage of the conference, the program schedule is available online at
http://www.aacr.org/disparities2010

abstracts will be available on Sept. 22, 2010

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations across race and ethnicity: distribution and clinical implications

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize evidence on the prevalence and spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 BRCA1/2 mutations across racial and ethnic groups and discuss implications for clinical practice.
RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations is comparable among breast cancer patients of African, Asian, white, and Hispanic descent: approximately 1-4% per gene. Among ovarian cancer patients in North America, BRCA1/2 mutations are present in 13-15%. Between racial/ethnic groups, there are important differences in the spectrum of BRCA1 compared with BRCA2 mutations, in BRCA1/2 variants of uncertain significance, and in the accuracy of clinical models that predict BRCA1/2 mutation carriage.
SUMMARY: Given the significant prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations across race/ethnicity, there is a need to expand and customize genetic counseling, genetic testing, and follow-up care for members of all racial/ethnic groups.