Currently, there is limited data available regarding how health care providers are determining whether their patients are at high-risk for breast cancer. While some guidelines exits, it is unknown when they are being used and what proportion of high-risk patients are being identified for screening and assessment in daily practice. Furthermore, if it is concluded that the patient may have an increased risk, it is unknown what management strategies are used for this population or their outcomes. Depending on breast cancer risk level, risk management options range from increased surveillance to chemoprevention to risk reductive surgeries.

A standardized approach to recognizing these individuals...

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Currently, there is limited data available regarding how health care providers are determining whether their patients are at high-risk for breast cancer. While some guidelines exits, it is unknown when they are being used and what proportion of high-risk patients are being identified for screening and assessment in daily practice. Furthermore, if it is concluded that the patient may have an increased risk, it is unknown what management strategies are used for this population or their outcomes. Depending on breast cancer risk level, risk management options range from increased surveillance to chemoprevention to risk reductive surgeries. A standardized approach to recognizing these individuals is lacking.

Recognizing and triaging individuals who are at increased risk for hereditary cancers (such as Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) becomes even more important as direct-to-consumer campaigns advertise genetic testing. This education program aims to increase health care providers’ awareness, attitudes, and knowledge and assess health care providers’ clinical practice regarding the identification and management of women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. This will be delivered via use of professional education website, video conferencing, webinars and interactive case discussion series. The outcome of our educational deliveries and practice guidelines will be objectively measured by pre and post educational session evaluation, interviews, questionnaires and 6 and 12 month follow-up assessment with participants.

As a result of increased awareness, knowledge and skills gained through this program, we will increase Texas health care providers’ capacity to provide screening and management services and referrals for women at highest risk of breast and ovarian cancer, which will ultimately lead to improvements in cancer prevention and early detection for these diseases in Texas.

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