BACKGROUND: BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations are associated with an increased lifetime risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Compared with the Western developed countries, genetic testing and risk assessment for HBOC in Asia are less available, thus prohibiting the appropriate surveillance, clinical strategies and cancer management. METHODS: The current status of HBOC management in 14 Asian countries, including genetic counselling/testing uptakes and clinical management options, was reviewed. We analysed how economic factors, healthcare and legal frameworks, and cultural issues affect the genetic service availability in Asia. RESULTS: In 2012, only an estimated 4,000 breast cancer cases from 14 Asian countries have benefited from genetic services. Genetic testing costs and the absence of their adoption into national healthcare systems are the main economic barriers for approaching genetic services. Training programmes, regional accredited laboratories and healthcare professionals are not readily available in most of the studied countries. A lack of legal frameworks against genetic discrimination and a lack of public awareness of cancer risk assessment also provide challenges to HBOC management in Asia. CONCLUSIONS: The Asian BRCA Consortium reports the current disparities in genetic services for HBOC in Asia and urges the policy makers, healthcare sectors and researchers to address the limitations in HBOC management.
BACKGROUND:BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations are associated with an increased lifetime risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Compared with the Western developed countries, genetic testing and risk assessment for HBOC in Asia are less available, thus prohibiting the appropriate surveillance, clinical strategies and cancer management. METHODS: The current status of HBOC management in 14 Asian countries, including genetic counselling/testing uptakes and clinical management options, was reviewed. We analysed how economic factors, healthcare and legal frameworks, and cultural issues affect the genetic service availability in Asia. RESULTS: In 2012, only an estimated 4,000 breast cancer cases from 14 Asian countries have benefited from genetic services. Genetic testing costs and the absence of their adoption into national healthcare systems are the main economic barriers for approaching genetic services. Training programmes, regional accredited laboratories and healthcare professionals are not readily available in most of the studied countries. A lack of legal frameworks against genetic discrimination and a lack of public awareness of cancer risk assessment also provide challenges to HBOC management in Asia. CONCLUSIONS: The Asian BRCA Consortium reports the current disparities in genetic services for HBOC in Asia and urges the policy makers, healthcare sectors and researchers to address the limitations in HBOC management.
Authors: Sungmin Park; Jeong Eon Lee; Jai Min Ryu; Issac Kim; Soo Youn Bae; Se Kyung Lee; Jonghan Yu; Seok Won Kim; Seok Jin Nam Journal: World J Surg Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: C H Yip; D G Evans; G Agarwal; I Buccimazza; A Kwong; R Morant; I Prakash; C Y Song; N A Taib; C Tausch; O Ung; S Meterissian Journal: World J Surg Date: 2019-05 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Teresa Sullivan; Eswary Thirthagiri; Chan-Eng Chong; Stacey Stauffer; Susan Reid; Eileen Southon; Tiara Hassan; Aravind Ravichandran; Eldarina Wijaya; Joanna Lim; Nur Aishah Mohd Taib; Farhana Fadzli; Cheng Har Yip; Mikael Hartman; Jingmei Li; Rob M van Dam; Susan L North; Ranabir Das; Douglas F Easton; Kajal Biswas; Soo-Hwang Teo; Shyam K Sharan Journal: Hum Mutat Date: 2020-12-31 Impact factor: 4.700