Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39876688›Full record

Observational studyActa oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)2025

Germline BRCA testing in Denmark following invasive breast cancer: Progress since 2000.

Aleksandar M Kostov, Maj-Britt Jensen, Bent Ejlertsen, Mads Thomassen, Caroline Maria Rossing, Inge S Pedersen, Annabeth H Petersen, Lise Lotte Christensen, Karin A W Wadt, Anne-Vibeke Lænkholm

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
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

10 authors.

Aleksandar M KostovDepartment of Surgical Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.ORCID 0009-0008-5034-8597
Maj-Britt JensenDanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-5348-3040
Bent EjlertsenDanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-8761-714X
Mads ThomassenDepartment of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Human Genetics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Clinical Genome Center, University of Southern Denmark and Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Caroline Maria RossingDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0003-4325-3027
Inge S PedersenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-9902-8040
Annabeth H PetersenDepartment of Clinical Genetics, Vejle Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-4503-6942
Lise Lotte ChristensenDepartment of Molecular Medicine (MOMA), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-5622-3068
Karin A W WadtDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0003-2882-6798
Anne-Vibeke LænkholmDepartment of Surgical Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. anlae@regionsjaelland.dk.ORCID 0000-0003-2166-8686

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background and purposeDespite advancements in genetic testing and expanded eligibility criteria, underutilisation of germline testing for pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) remains evident among breast cancer (BC) patients. This observational cohort study presents real-world data on BRCA testing within the context of clinical practice challenges, including incomplete family history and under-referral. MATERIAL AND

methodsFrom the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG) clinical database, we included 65,117 females with unilateral stage I-III BC diagnosed in 2000-2017, of whom 9,125 (14%) were BRCA tested. Test results spanned from 1999 to 2021. We evaluated test rates overall and in three diagnosis periods. In logistic regression models, we examined the correlation between a BRCA test and patients' age, residency region, receptor status, and diagnosis period.

resultsTest rates rose most significantly among patients aged under 40 years, increasing from 47% (2000-2005) to 88% (2012-2017), albeit with regional discrepancies. Test timing shifted in recent years, with most results within 6 months of BC diagnosis, primarily among the youngest patients. BRCA test rates were higher for oestrogen receptor-negative/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC (25% in 2000-2005 vs. 38% in 2012-2017), and these findings were confirmed in multivariate regression models.

interpretationOur results indicate a critical need for an intensified focus on BRCA testing among BC patients older than 40, where a mainstreamed testing approach might overcome delayed or missed testing. Current DBCG guidelines recommend BRCA testing of all BC patients younger than 50 years, while a general recommendation for older patients is still missing.

Indexed as

BRCA1 ProteinBRCA2 ProteinBreast NeoplasmsGenetic TestingGerm-Line MutationAdultAgedDenmarkFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansMiddle AgedBRCA1 ProteinBRCA1 protein, humanBRCA2 ProteinBRCA2 protein, human

Identifiers

PMID39876688
PMCPMC11808818

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.