Louise Wideroff
Hereditary breast/ovarian and colorectal cancer genetics knowledge in a national sample of US physicians
clinically relevant genetics knowledge essential appropriate assessment management inherited cancer risk effective communication patients national physician survey assessed knowledge regarding basic cancer genetics concepts early process introduction predictive genetic testing breastovarian hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer hnpcc syndromesa stratified random sample selected american medical association masterfile licensed physicians total 1251 physicians 820 primary care 431 selected subspecialties responded 15 minute questionnaire response rate 71 19992000 multivariate logistic regression analyses conducted identify demographic practice characteristics associated accurate response three knowledge questionsof study population 375 aware paternal inheritance brca12 mutations 338 recognised mutations occur 10 breast cancer patients 131 accurately identified hnpcc gene penetrance or50 obstetricsgynaecology physicians oncologists general surgeons significantly likely general family practitioners respond accurately breastovarian questions gastroenterologists hnpcc questionthese nationally representative data indicate limited physician knowledge key cancer genetics concepts 19992000 particularly among general primary care physicians specialists knowledgeable syndromes might treat refer elsewhere recent dissemination practice guidelines continued expansion relevant clinical literature may enhance knowledge time addition educational efforts assist physicians growing knowledge base research needed characterise organisational changes required within healthcare system provide effective cancer genetics services