Study: Increased Screening Shows Value for High-Risk Women

Women who watch more closely for signs of breast cancer after learning that they are at increased risk are in fact likely to detect cancers at an early stage, according to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The researchers, reporting in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on the first study to follow women who had been identified as having the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, said results demonstrated the value of knowing that these women were at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Over the course of the study, 165 women identified with the gene mutations chose increased surveillance, and breast cancer was found in 12 of these women -- with nine of the tumors diagnosed at the earliest stage.

"These results provide the first prospective evidence that BRCA testing can lead to interventions that result in the diagnosis of early-stage breast and ovarian cancers," said Dr. Kenneth Offit, Chief of the Clinical Genetics Service at MSKCC and senior author of the study.

Half of the breast cancers in this group were found by mammography (one by MRI) and half were found by physical examination during the time between annual mammography screenings.

"These results illustrate the importance of a comprehensive approach to breast cancer screening including self examinations in addition to breast imaging and physician examinations," said Lauren Scheuer, senior genetic counselor at MSKCC and lead author of the study.

"Further research is necessary to determine whether more frequent breast imaging may be warranted in women at hereditary risk."

A total of 29 women identified with the gene mutation chose to have their breasts removed as a preventive measure against breast cancer. Two of these women were found to have previously undetected early-stage breast cancers at the time of surgery.

"Further studies will be needed to measure outcomes after surgery and early detection, however, our preliminary results are encouraging," said Scheuer. "They underscore the importance of genetic counseling and education for women with proven risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer."

Other Sources: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center