DELRAY BEACH, FL – As knowledge increases about the clinical utility of germline testing and BRCA-status for patients with early breast cancer, it is also important that this vital treatment and prevention tool is offered to breast cancer survivors, as well. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Cancer Society both recommend that doctors revisit for breast cancer survivors for concerns including, recurrence and menopausal symptom management.

A new study from the Royal Marsden Hospital in London found that approximately 65 percent of breast cancer patients that qualified were not offered germline testing. This was testing that could have affected these patients’ treatment outcome and could determine their risk for future diagnoses. “The survivorship setting provides an opportunity for genetic review underpinned by collaborative working between cancer specialists and the genetics team.”¹

Survivor testing can also trigger cascade testing of family members and the dissemination of results to relatives. Germline testing for family members that are closely related to a BRCA-positive patient should also be offered testing and genetic counseling. If the family members test positive, they are able to follow a similar prevention plan as their surviving relative. The cascade testing method can also bring reassurance to family members when no pathogenic variants are identified.

As genomics increasingly impacts cancer care and survivorship, achieving 100 percent genomic testing in breast cancer patients and survivors is essential for bettering patient outcomes and treatment effectiveness.