Table 1 Genetics training, referrals and VUS knowledge by breast cancer specialists
From: Understanding of BRCA VUS genetic results by breast cancer specialists
Total | Medical oncologist | Clinical oncologist | Surgeon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No. (%) | No. (%) | No. (%) | No. (%) | |
155 (100 %) | 63 (40.7 %) | 54 (34.8 %) | 38 (24.5 %) | |
Genetics training | ||||
None | 18 (11.6 %) | 9 (14.3 %) | 5 (9.3 %) | 4 (10.5 %) |
Medical school/postgrad exams | 115 (74.2 %) | 47 (74.6 %) | 44 (81.5 %) | 24 (63.2 %) |
Genetics course | 4 (3.6 %) | 2 (3.2 %) | 1 (1.9 %) | 1 (2.6 %) |
Module with genetics service | 1 (0.7 %) | 0 (0 %) | 1 (1.9 %) | 0 (0 %) |
Specialist interest (no formal training) | 9 (5.8 %) | 2 (3.2 %) | 1 (1.9 %) | 6 (15.8 %) |
Higher degree | 5 (3.2 %) | 2 (3.2 %) | 2 (3.7 %) | 1 (2.6 %) |
Othera | 3 (1.9 %) | 1 (1.6 %) | 0 (0 %) | 2 (5.3 %) |
Direct genetics service referral | ||||
Yes | 143 (95.3 %) | 59 (93.7 %) | 49 (96.1 %) | 35 (97.2 %) |
No | 7 (4.7 %) | 4 (6.4 %) | 2 (3.9 %) | 1 (2.8 %) |
Missing | 5 (3.2 %) | 0 (0 %) | 3 (5.3 %) | 2 (5.6 %) |
Ability to interpret genetics report | ||||
Yes | 45 (29.0 %) | 14 (22.2 %) | 13 (24.1 %) | 18 (47.4 %) |
No | 64 (41.3 %) | 27 (42.9 %) | 25 (46.3 %) | 12 (31.6 %) |
Unsureb | 46 (29.7 %) | 22 (34.9 %) | 16 (29.6 %) | 8 (21.1 %) |
VUS understanding | ||||
Fully understand | 56 (36.1 %) | 24 (38.1 %) | 13 (24.1 %) | 19 (50.0 %) |
Don't fully understand | 66 (42.6 %) | 25 (39.7 %) | 24 (44.4 %) | 17 (44.7 %) |
Not heard/don't understand | 33 (21.3 %) | 14 (22.2 %) | 17 (31.5 %) | 2 (5.3 %) |
How common is a VUS? | ||||
<10 % | 26 (21.1 %) | 9 (17.0 %) | 13 (31.0 %) | 5 (15.2 %) |
10–20 % | 61 (47.7 %) | 29 (54.7 %) | 15 (35.7 %) | 17 (51.5 %) |
20–30 % | 24 (18.8 %) | 11 (20.8 %) | 8 (19.1 %) | 5 (15.2 %) |
30–40 % | 11 (8.6 %) | 4 (7.6 %) | 3 (7.1 %) | 4 (12.1 %) |
40–50 % | 2 (1.6 %) | 0 (0 %) | 2 (4.8 %) | 0 (0 %) |
>50 % | 3 (2.3 %) | 0 (0 %) | 1 (2.4 %) | 2 (6.1 %) |
Don't’ know/skipped Q | 27 (17.4 %) | 10 (15.9 %) | 12 (22.2 %) | 5 (13.2 %) |