Ascension Saint Thomas is pleased to announce the contributions of Dr. Pat Whitworth, Saint Thomas Breast Surgical Oncologist, to a study that prompted the American Society of Breast Surgeons to revise its recommendations on genetic testing.
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology as "Underdiagnosis of Hereditary Breast Cancer: Are Genetic Testing Guidelines a Tool or an Obstacle?"
Dr. Whitworth also advised the committee that developed the American Society of Breast Surgeons' new screening guidelines. In response to the study findings, the updated recommendations state that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer should be offered genetic testing.
"Now patients and their unaffected family members will easily be able to find out if they have one of over 20 genes now associated with cancer risk. This will save lives by directing enhanced screening to those who test positive and by offering preventative options for those with the highest risk," said Dr. Pat Whitworth, Saint Thomas Breast Surgical Oncologist. "This new recommendation is a major departure from far more restrictive recommendations that were developed when genetic testing was far more extensive and complicated."
The American Society of Breast Surgeons has sent the amended guidelines on genetic screening to its 3,400 members across the United States and in more than 50 countries.
