Attitudes of obstetrician-gynecologists toward DNA testing for a genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge and attitudes of area obstetrician-gynecologists toward DNA testing for genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.

METHODS

At a staff meeting of each of the Rochester area's hospitals that had an obstetric service, we assessed knowledge of inherited predisposition to breast cancer, presented the current status of testing for genetic susceptibility, and assessed attitudes toward such testing.

RESULTS

The majority of the physicians surveyed believed that current BRCA1 testing can detect a genetic predisposition to breast cancer accurately enough to be clinically useful (81%) and that a young woman with a family history of breast cancer not currently having regular mammography is likely to benefit from DNA testing because a positive result may motivate her to start mammography earlier (88%). However, most respondents thought that women who test positive are likely to be excessively anxious (87%) and may be discriminated against for insurance purposes (75%). In response to an invitation to participate in a clinical trial of free BRCA1 screening, 74 (70%) desired to participate.

CONCLUSION

Obstetrician-gynecologists expect women detected to have a BRCA1 mutation to be motivated to conduct surveillance, but also to experience anxiety and possible discrimination.