BRCA testing within the Department of Veterans Affairs: concordance with clinical practice guidelines

Guideline-concordant cancer care is a priority within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In 2009, the VA expanded its capacity to treat breast cancer patients within VA medical centers (VAMCs). We sought to determine whether male and female Veterans diagnosed with breast cancer received BRCA t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Familial cancer 2017, Vol.16 (1), p.41-49
Main Authors: Chun, Danielle S., Berse, Brygida, Venne, Vickie L., DuVall, Scott L., Filipski, Kelly K., Kelley, Michael J., Meyer, Laurence J., Icardi, Michael S., Lynch, Julie A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
BRCA1 Protein - genetics
BRCA2 Protein - genetics
Breast Neoplasms - genetics
Cancer Research
Epidemiology
Female
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Testing - statistics & numerical data
Guideline Adherence
Human Genetics
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Original Article
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
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Summary:Guideline-concordant cancer care is a priority within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In 2009, the VA expanded its capacity to treat breast cancer patients within VA medical centers (VAMCs). We sought to determine whether male and female Veterans diagnosed with breast cancer received BRCA testing as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment in Breast and Ovarian Cancer (v. 1.2010–1.2012). Using the 2011–2012 VA Central Cancer Registry and BRCA test orders from Myriad Genetics, we conducted a retrospective study. The outcome variable was a recommendation for genetic counseling or BRCA testing, determined by chart review. Independent variables expected to predict testing included region, site of care, and patient characteristics. We performed descriptive analysis of all patients and conducted multivariable logistic regression on patients who sought care at VAMCs that offered BRCA testing. Of the 462 Veterans who met NCCN testing criteria, 126 (27 %) received guideline-concordant care, either a referral for counseling or actual testing. No BRCA testing was recommended in 49 (50 %) VAMCs that provide cancer treatment. Surprisingly, patients with second primary breast cancer were less likely to be referred/tested (OR 0.39; CI 0.17, 0.89; p  = 0.025). For patients under age 51, a yearly increase in age decreased likelihood of referral or testing (OR 0.85; CI 0.76, 0.94; p  
ISSN:1389-9600
1573-7292
DOI:10.1007/s10689-016-9921-5