Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26608569›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2015

Understanding of BRCA VUS genetic results by breast cancer specialists.

B K Eccles, E Copson, T Maishman, J E Abraham, D M Eccles

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 61 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
61citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
6.4field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

61 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 122 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. How variants of uncertain significance affect clinical decisions: A systematic review.Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. The Journal of international medical research · 2022
    Pooled it
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  12. Germline Mutations Landscape in a Cohort of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in Patients Who Underwent Genetic Counseling for Gynecological and Breast Cancer.Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia · 2023
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  14. A novelFrontiers in oncology · 2023
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1 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

B K EcclesCancer Sciences Academic Unit and University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. bryony_eccles@hotmail.com.
E CopsonCancer Sciences Academic Unit and University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. E.Copson@soton.ac.uk.
T MaishmanCancer Sciences Academic Unit and University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. t.maishman@soton.ac.uk.
J E AbrahamCambridge Breast Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge NHS Foundation Hospitals, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK. ja344@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
D M EcclesCancer Sciences Academic Unit and University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. d.m.eccles@soton.ac.uk.
University of Southampton · GBUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust · GBUniversity of Cambridge · GB

Funding

Cancer Research UK 15956Cancer Research UK C44458/A14469
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMainstreaming genetic medicine, increased media coverage and clinical trials for BRCA mutation carriers are leading oncologists into more patient discussions about BRCA genetic testing. BRCA variants of uncertain significance (VUS) occur in 10-20% of tests. VUS detection introduces additional uncertainty for patient and potentially clinician. We aimed to explore the ability of breast cancer specialists (BCS) in the UK to correctly respond to a VUS report.

methodsA survey sent to 800 UK BCS collected demographics data, VUS general knowledge and interpretation and communication based on two genetics reports. A separate survey of UK clinical geneticists collected demographics data, laboratory reporting practice and methods used to clarify VUS pathogenicity including classification systems.

resultsOf the 155 BCS (22.5%) who completed the survey, 12% reported no genetics training. Ninety five percent referred patients for BRCA genetic tests, 71% felt unsure about the clinical implications of the test reports presented here. A VUS report from a patient with a positive family history was interpreted and theoretically communicated correctly by 94% but when presented with a different VUS report with no management guidance and negative family history, 39% did not know how to communicate this result to the patient. Geneticists reported multiple VUS classification systems; the most commonly used was word-based in 32%.

conclusionsA consistent and standardised format to report particularly VUS results across all diagnostic laboratories plus additional training of UK BCS will be necessary for effective mainstreaming of BRCA testing to the oncology clinic.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeAdultAgedBRCA1 ProteinBRCA2 ProteinBreast NeoplasmsFemaleGenetic TestingGenetic VariationHumansMiddle AgedPhysiciansUnited KingdomBRCA1 ProteinBRCA1 protein, humanBRCA2 ProteinBRCA2 protein, human

Identifiers

PMID26608569
PMCPMC4660681
OpenAlexW2181279167

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.