Breast cancer risk after salpingo-oophorectomy in healthy BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: revisiting the evidence for risk reduction

Long-term outcome of high-grade serous carcinoma established in risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy specimens in asymptomatic BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variant carriers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the long-term outcome of asymptomatic BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variant (GPV) carriers with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) in their risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) specimen.

METHODS

In a previously described cohort of asymptomatic BRCA1/2 GPV carriers derived from the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer in the Netherlands (HEBON) study, women with HGSC at RRSO were identified. Main outcome was ten-year disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were time to recurrence, ten-year disease-specific survival (DSS), ten-year overall survival (OS). Patient, disease and treatment characteristics associated with recurrence were described.

RESULTS

The 28 included women with HGSC at RRSO were diagnosed at a median age of 55.3 years (range: 33.5-74.3). After staging, eighteen women had (FIGO) stage I, three stage II and five had stage III disease. Two women did not undergo surgical staging and were classified as unknown stage. After a median follow-up of 13.5 years (range: 9.1-24.7), six women with stage I (33%), one woman with stage II (33%), two women with stage III (40%) and none of the women with unknown stage developed a recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 6.9 years (range: 0.8-9.2 years). Ten-year DFS was 68%, ten-year DSS was 88% and ten-year OS was 82%.

CONCLUSION

Most asymptomatic BRCA1/2 GPV carriers with HGSC at RRSO were diagnosed at an early stage. Nevertheless, after a median follow-up of 13.5 years, nine of the 28 women with HGSC at RRSO developed a recurrence after a median of 6.9 years.

Decision aids for female BRCA mutation carriers: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

Women who inherit a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are at substantially higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer than average. Several cancer risk management strategies exist to address this increased risk. Decisions about which strategies to choose are complex, personal and multifactorial for these women. Decision aids (DAs) are tools that assist patients in making health-related decisions. The aim of this scoping review was to map evidence relating to the development and testing of patient DAs for cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers.

DESIGN

Scoping review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI's) scoping review methodological framework.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science. No restrictions applied for language or publication date. A manual search was also performed.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Studies on DAs for cancer risk management designed for or applicable to women with a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who are unaffected by breast or ovarian cancer.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data were extracted using a form based on the JBI instrument for extracting details of studies' characteristics and results. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Extracted data were tabulated.

RESULTS

32 evidence sources relating to development or testing of 21 DAs were included. Four DAs were developed exclusively for cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers. Of these, two covered all guideline recommended risk management strategies for this population though only one of these was readily available publicly in its full version. All studies investigating DA effectiveness reported a positive effect of the DA under investigation on at least one of the outcomes evaluated, however only six DAs were tested in randomised controlled trials.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review has mapped the landscape of the literature relating to developing and testing, DAs applicable to cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers.

Cost-Effectiveness of Population-Based Multigene Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention

Importance

The current method of BRCA testing for breast and ovarian cancer prevention, which is based on family history, often fails to identify many carriers of pathogenic variants. Population-based genetic testing offers a transformative approach in cancer prevention by allowing for proactive identification of any high-risk individuals and enabling early interventions.

Objective

To assess the lifetime incremental effectiveness, costs, and cost-effectiveness of population-based multigene testing vs family history-based testing.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This economic evaluation used a microsimulation model to assess the cost-effectiveness of multigene testing (BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2) for all women aged 30 to 35 years compared with the current standard of care that is family history based. Carriers of pathogenic variants were offered interventions, such as magnetic resonance imaging with or without mammography, chemoprevention, or risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, to reduce cancer risk. A total of 2000 simulations were run on 1 000 000 women, using a lifetime time horizon and payer perspective, and costs were adjusted to 2022 US dollars. This study was conducted from September 1, 2020, to December 15, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), quantified as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Secondary outcomes included incremental cost, additional breast and ovarian cancer cases prevented, and excess deaths due to coronary heart disease (CHD).

Results

The study assessed 1 000 000 simulated women aged 30 to 35 years in the US. In the base case, population-based multigene testing was more cost-effective compared with family history-based testing, with an ICER of $55 548 per QALY (95% CI, $47 288-$65 850 per QALY). Population-based multigene testing would be able to prevent an additional 1338 cases of breast cancer and 663 cases of ovarian cancer, but it would also result in 69 cases of excess CHD and 10 excess CHD deaths per million women. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses show that the probability that population-based multigene testing is cost-effective was 100%. When the cost of the multigene test exceeded $825, population-based testing was no longer cost-effective (ICER, $100 005 per QALY; 95% CI, $87 601-$11 6323).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this economic analysis of population-based multigene testing, population-based testing was a more cost-effective strategy for the prevention of breast cancer and ovarian cancer when compared with the current family history-based testing strategy at the $100 000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. These findings support the need for more comprehensive genetic testing strategies to identify pathogenic variant carriers and enable informed decision-making for personalized risk management.

BRCA Mutation Patients: Are There Other Predisposing Factors for Ovarian Cancer Occurrence? A Multicenter Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this multicenter retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association of clinical variables and the incidence of ovarian cancer in patients with BRCA 1-2 mutation carriers who underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO).

DESIGN

Patients with a pathogenic mutation of BRCA 1-2 genes and with no evidence of disease are considered eligible. The exclusion criterion was the refusal to undergo the surgery. The retrospective study included all RRSO performed from May 2015 to April 2022 in the three gynecological Institutions of Southern Italy for were included in this retrospective study.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Age, menarche age, BMI, menopause at time of RRSO, breast cancer first- and second-degree relatives, ovarian cancer first- and second-degree relatives, estroprogestin use, pregnancy normal full-term delivery, history of endometriosis, previous breast cancer and histologic type, previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 status, preoperative serum CA-125 levels (IU/mL), age at time of RRSO and histological analysis were collected.

RESULTS

184 were recruited. One was excluded. To assess cancer risk, the outcome variable was classified into three classes: no event, cancer, and other conditions excluding cancer. 14 women presented ovarian cancer and tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) on histopathologic final report. Ovarian cancer was found in 8 patients, whereas the presence of STIC was found in 6 of them.

LIMITATIONS

The low incidence of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer or STIC compared with the total number of patients undergoing RRSO is a potential bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study did not demonstrate a correlation between clinical features and the occurrence of precancerous or cancerous lesions in BRCA mutation carrier patients.

Synchronous and Metachronous Breast and Ovarian Cancers: Experience from a Single Tertiary Care Cancer Centre in India

Women with either breast cancer (BC) or ovarian cancer (OC) have a 1.5-2 times higher risk of developing the other. Discerning discrete primaries versus metastases from either can be challenging. Clinico-pathological and outcome details of patients diagnosed with both BC and OC from December 1994 to August 2018 were retrospectively evaluated at a single tertiary cancer centre. We report the pattern of presentation and recurrences with case-based illustrations. Out of 139 patients, presentation was BC-first in 66.2%, OC-first in 24.5% and synchronous cancers (SC) in 9.3% of women. The median age at diagnosis in BC-first, OC-first and SC was 42 years, 48 years and 49 years, respectively. The most common histological subtype was invasive breast carcinoma-no special type (74.8%) in BC and serous cystadenocarcinoma (81.3%) in OC. BC presented at an early stage in 67.6% while OC presented at an advanced stage in 48.2% of patients. Germline mutation results were available in 82% with 61.4% of the cohort exhibiting a mutation- BRCA1 mutation being the most common. The median time to development of second cancer was 77.4 months and 39.4 months in BC-first and OC-first, respectively. At a median follow-up of 9.47 years, disease-free survival was 32.6%, 32.4% and 30.8% in BC-first, OC-first and SC, respectively (p < 0.001). In hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, BC-first patients have a better prognosis while synchronous malignancies have worse oncological outcomes. Deaths are mainly due to OC progression. Appropriate surveillance and prophylactic intervention in young patients with breast cancer may improve overall outcomes.

Choices for cancer prevention for women with a BRCA1 mutation? a personal view

With widespread testing for susceptibility genes, increasing numbers of women are being identified to carry a mutation in one of many genes which renders them susceptible to cancer. The first gene to be identified (in 1994) was BRCA1 which increases a woman's risk for breast cancer (70%) and ovarian cancer (40%). The prevalence of BRCA1 gene mutations has been studied widely and in many countries, mostly in women affected with cancer. In many settings testing is offered routinely to women with serous ovarian cancer or early-onset or triple-negative breast cancer. It is preferable to identify a mutation in a healthy women prior to the diagnosis of cancer. The basic strategies for prevention include surgical prevention, chemoprevention and screening (early detection). Much progress has been made in the past two decades evaluating the benefits of these three approaches. In this commentary I provide my personal views regarding these various interventions in the context of counselling a newly diagnosed health woman with a BRCA1 mutation.

Tamoxifen and the risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

PURPOSE

Chemoprevention with a selective estrogen receptor modulator (tamoxifen or raloxifene) is a non-surgical option offered to high-risk women to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The evidence for tamoxifen benefit is based on trials conducted among predominantly postmenopausal women from the general population and on studies of contralateral breast cancer in women with a pathogenic variant (mutation hereafter) in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Tamoxifen has not been assessed as a primary prevention agent in women with an inherited BRCA mutation.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective analysis of tamoxifen chemoprevention and the risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Data on tamoxifen (and raloxifene) use was collected by questionnaire and updated biennially. Information on incident cancers was collected by self-report and was confirmed by medical record review. In a matched analysis, we estimated the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for developing a first primary breast cancer associated with tamoxifen or raloxifene use, using Cox proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS

There were 4578 unaffected women in the cohort, of whom 137 reported tamoxifen use (3%), 83 reported raloxifene use (2%) and 12 used both drugs (0.3%). Women who used tamoxifen or raloxifene were matched 1:3 with women who used neither drug on year of birth, country of residence, year of study entry and gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2). We generated 202 matched pairs. After a mean follow-up of 6.8 years, there were 22 incident breast cancers diagnosed among tamoxifen/raloxifene users (10.9% of users) and 71 cases diagnosed among non-users (14.3% of non-users; HR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.40-1.03; P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Chemoprevention may be an effective risk-reduction option for BRCA mutation carriers, but further studies with longer follow-up are necessary.

High-Grade Serous Carcinoma at Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy in Asymptomatic Carriers of BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variants: Prevalence and Clinical Factors

PURPOSE

To investigate the prevalence of and clinical factors associated with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) at risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in asymptomatic BRCA1/2-pathogenic variant (PV) carriers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included BRCA1/2-PV carriers who underwent RRSO between 1995 and 2018 from the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer in the Netherlands study. All pathology reports were screened, and histopathology reviews were performed for RRSO specimens with epithelial abnormalities or where HGSC developed after normal RRSO. We then compared clinical characteristics, including parity and oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, for women with and without HGSC at RRSO.

RESULTS

Of the 2,557 included women, 1,624 had BRCA1, 930 had BRCA2, and three had both BRCA1/2-PV. The median age at RRSO was 43.0 years (range: 25.3-73.8) for BRCA1-PV and 46.8 years (27.6-77.9) for BRCA2-PV carriers. Histopathologic review confirmed 28 of 29 HGSCs and two further HGSCs from among 20 apparently normal RRSO specimens. Thus, 24 (1.5%) BRCA1-PV and 6 (0.6%) BRCA2-PV carriers had HGSC at RRSO, with the fallopian tube identified as the primary site in 73%. The prevalence of HGSC in women who underwent RRSO at the recommended age was 0.4%. Among BRCA1/2-PV carriers, older age at RRSO increased the risk of HGSC and long-term OCP use was protective.

CONCLUSION

We detected HGSC in 1.5% (BRCA1-PV) and 0.6% (BRCA2-PV) of RRSO specimens from asymptomatic BRCA1/2-PV carriers. Consistent with the fallopian tube hypothesis, we found most lesions in the fallopian tube. Our results highlight the importance of timely RRSO with total removal and assessment of the fallopian tubes and show the protective effects of long-term OCP.

Effectiveness of Secondary Risk-Reducing Strategies in Patients With Unilateral Breast Cancer With Pathogenic Variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Subjected to Breast-Conserving Surgery: Evidence-Based Simulation Study

BACKGROUND

Approximately 62% of patients with breast cancer with a pathogenic variant (BRCA1 or BRCA2) undergo primary breast-conserving therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to develop a personalized risk management decision support tool for carriers of a pathogenic variant (BRCA1 or BRCA2) who underwent breast-conserving therapy for unilateral early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS

We developed a Bayesian network model of a hypothetical cohort of carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 diagnosed with stage I/II unilateral breast cancer and treated with breast-conserving treatment who underwent subsequent second primary cancer risk-reducing strategies. Using event dependencies structured according to expert knowledge and conditional probabilities obtained from published evidence, we predicted the 40-year overall survival rate of different risk-reducing strategies for 144 cohorts of women defined by the type of pathogenic variants (BRCA1 or BRCA2), age at primary breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer subtype, stage of primary breast cancer, and presence or absence of adjuvant chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Absence of adjuvant chemotherapy was the most powerful factor that was linked to a dramatic decline in survival. There was a negligible decline in the mortality in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, who received no chemotherapy and underwent any secondary risk-reducing strategy, compared with surveillance. The potential survival benefit from any risk-reducing strategy was more modest in patients with triple-negative breast cancer who received chemotherapy compared with patients with luminal breast cancer. However, most patients with triple-negative breast cancer in stage I benefited from bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy or just risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. Most patients with luminal stage I/II unilateral breast cancer benefited from bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. The impact of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in patients with luminal breast cancer in stage I/II increased with age. Most older patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants in exons 12-24/25 with luminal breast cancer may gain a similar survival benefit from other risk-reducing strategies or surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that it is mandatory to consider the complex interplay between the types of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants, age at primary breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer subtype and stage, and received systemic treatment. As no prospective study results are available at the moment, our simulation model, which will integrate a decision support system in the near future, could facilitate the conversation between the health care provider and patient and help to weigh all the options for risk-reducing strategies leading to a more balanced decision.

Controversies and Open Questions in Management of Cancer-Free Carriers of Germline Pathogenic Variants in BRCA1/BRCA2

Females harboring germline BRCA1/BRCA2 (BRCA) P/LPV are offered a tight surveillance scheme from the age of 25−30 years, aimed at early detection of specific cancer types, in addition to risk-reducing strategies. Multiple national and international surveillance guidelines have been published and updated over the last two decades from geographically diverse countries. We searched for guidelines published between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2022. Differences between guidelines on issues such as primary prevention, mammography screening in young (<30 years) carriers, MRI screening in carriers above age 65 years, breast imaging (if any) after risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding, and hormone-replacement therapy, are just a few notable examples. Beyond formal guidelines, BRCA carriers’ concerns also focus on the timing of risk-reducing surgeries, fertility preservation, management of menopausal symptoms in cancer survivors, and pancreatic cancer surveillance, issues that, for some, there are no data to support evidence-based recommendations. This review discusses these unsettled issues, emphasizing the importance of future studies to enable global guideline harmonization for optimal surveillance strategies. Moreover, it raises the unmet need for personalized risk stratification and surveillance in BRCA P/LPV carriers.

Bilateral Oophorectomy and the Risk of Breast Cancer in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers: A Reappraisal

BACKGROUND

The lack of consensus on whether bilateral oophorectomy impacts risk of developing breast cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers might be attributed to various biases, specifically, cancer-induced testing bias due to inclusion of prevalent cases. We conducted two complementary matched case-control analyses to evaluate the association of oophorectomy and BRCA1 breast cancer.

METHODS

A research questionnaire was administered every two years to collect information on exposures and disease. In the first analysis, we limited the study to prevalent breast cancer cases (diagnosed prior to study entry; n = 2,962) who were matched to controls on year of birth and country of residence (n = 4,358). In the second approach, we limited to 330 incident cases (diagnosed in the follow-up period) and 1,548 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of invasive breast cancer.

RESULTS

In the first approach, there was a significant inverse association between oophorectomy and the risk of developing breast cancer [OR = 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-0.55; P < 00001]. In the second approach, there was no association between oophorectomy and risk (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.87-1.70; P = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

The inclusion of women with a personal history of breast cancer prior to ascertainment likely impacts upon the association of oophorectomy and BRCA1 breast cancer risk.

IMPACT

Oophorectomy is unlikely a determinant of breast cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers but should be offered at age 35 to reduce the risk of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer.

Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Testing for All Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in China

Simple Summary

Unselected multigene testing at breast cancer (BC) diagnosis has been reported to be cost-effective compared with family history (FH)/clinical-criteria-based testing in high-income countries such as the US and UK. Chinese patients are younger than Caucasian women at diagnosis, tending to have a higher gene mutation prevalence, and the family size and number of female relatives are smaller due to the one-child policy (which has been changed) in China. Therefore, offering genetic testing for BC patients could potentially prevent more cancer cases and deaths in China. However, the health economic evidence for multigene testing at BC diagnosis in China is lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of three genetic testing strategies among BC patients using a microsimulation model at the individual level in China. We found that offering unselected multigene testing to all BC patients in China is highly cost-effective compared with FH/clinical-criteria-based testing or no testing from both the societal and payer perspectives.

Abstract

Unselected multigene testing for all women with breast cancer (BC) identifies more cancer susceptibility gene (CSG) carriers who can benefit from precision prevention compared with family history (FH)/clinical-criteria-based guidelines. Very little CSG testing is undertaken in middle-income countries such as China, and its cost-effectiveness remains unaddressed. We aimed to estimate cost-effectiveness and population impact of multigene testing for all Chinese BC patients. Data from 8085 unselected BC patients recruited to a Peking University Cancer Hospital study were used for microsimulation modeling, comparing three strategies in the Chinese setting: all BC women undergo BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2 genetic testing, only BC women fulfilling FH/clinical criteria undergo BRCA testing, and no genetic testing. Prophylactic mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy would be adopted where appropriate. Societal and payer perspectives with a lifetime horizon along with sensitivity analyses were presented. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER): incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained is compared to the USD 10,260/QALY (one-times GDP per capita) willingness-to-pay threshold. BC incidence, ovarian cancer (OC) incidence, and related deaths were also estimated. FH/clinical-criteria-based BRCA testing was ruled out on the principle of extensive dominance. Compared with no genetic testing, multigene testing for all BC patients had an ICER = USD 4506/QALY (societal perspective) and USD 7266/QALY (payer perspective), well below our threshold. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed unselected multigene testing remained cost-effective for 94.2%/86.6% of simulations from the societal and payer perspectives. One year’s unselected multigene testing could prevent 7868 BC/OC cases and 5164 BC/OC deaths in China. Therefore, unselected multigene testing is extremely cost-effective and should be offered to all Chinese women with BC.

Risk of de novo cancer after premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy is one of the most frequent gynecologic surgeries in the United States. Women undergoing hysterectomy are commonly offered bilateral oophorectomy for ovarian and breast cancer prevention. Although bilateral oophorectomy may dramatically reduce the risk of gynecologic cancers, some studies suggested that bilateral oophorectomy may be associated with an increased risk of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer and colorectal cancer. However, the results are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between bilateral oophorectomy and the risk of subsequent cancer of any type.

STUDY DESIGN

This population-based cohort study included all premenopausal women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy for a nonmalignant indication before the age of 50, between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 2007 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and a random sample of age-matched (±1 year) referent women who did not undergo bilateral oophorectomy. Women with cancer before oophorectomy (or index date) or within 6 months after the index date were excluded. Time-to-event analyses were performed to assess the risk of de novo cancer. Cancer diagnosis and type were confirmed using medical record review.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 18 years, the risk of any cancer did not significantly differ between the 1562 women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before natural menopause and the 1610 referent women (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.03). However, women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy had a decreased risk of gynecologic cancers (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.34) but not of nongynecologic cancers (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.26). In particular, the risk of breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and lung cancer did not differ between these 2 cohorts. Use of estrogen therapy through the age of 50 years in women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy did not modify the results.

CONCLUSION

Women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before menopause have a reduced risk of gynecologic cancer but not of other types of cancer including breast cancer. Women at average risk of ovarian cancer should not consider bilateral oophorectomy for the prevention of breast cancer or other nongynecologic cancers.

Consensus Recommendations of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

The German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC) has established a multigene panel (TruRisk®) for the analysis of risk genes for familial breast and ovarian cancer.

SUMMARY

An interdisciplinary team of experts from the GC-HBOC has evaluated the available data on risk modification in the presence of pathogenic mutations in these genes based on a structured literature search and through a formal consensus process.

KEY MESSAGES

The goal of this work is to better assess individual disease risk and, on this basis, to derive clinical recommendations for patient counseling and care at the centers of the GC-HBOC from the initial consultation prior to genetic testing to the use of individual risk-adapted preventive/therapeutic measures.

Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy and the Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy Below the Age of Natural Menopause: Scientific Impact Paper No. 66 October 2021: Scientific Impact Paper No. 66

This paper deals with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after the removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries to prevent ovarian cancer in premenopausal high risk women. Some women have an alteration in their genetic code, which makes them more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Two well-known genes which can carry an alteration are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Examples of other genes associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer include RAD51C, RAD51D, BRIP1, PALB2 and Lynch syndrome genes. Women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer and/or breast cancer, may also be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women at increased risk can choose to have an operation to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which is the most effective way to prevent ovarian cancer. This is done after a woman has completed her family. However, removal of ovaries causes early menopause and leads to hot flushes, sweats, mood changes and bone thinning. It can also cause memory problems and increases the risk of heart disease. It may reduce libido or impair sexual function. Guidance on how to care for women following preventative surgery who are experiencing early menopause is needed. HRT is usually advisable for women up to 51 years of age (average age of menopause for women in the UK) who are undergoing early menopause and have not had breast cancer, to minimise the health risks linked to early menopause. For women with a womb, HRT should include estrogen coupled with progestogen to protect against thickening of the lining of the womb (called endometrial hyperplasia). For women without a womb, only estrogen is given. Research suggests that, unlike in older women, HRT for women in early menopause does not increase breast cancer risk, including in those who are BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers and have preventative surgery. For women with a history of receptor-negative breast cancer, the gynaecologist will liaise with an oncology doctor on a case-by-case basis to help to decide if HRT is safe to use. Women with a history of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are not normally offered HRT. A range of other therapies can be used if a woman is unable to take HRT. These include behavioural therapy and non-hormonal medicines. However, these are less effective than HRT. Regular exercise, healthy lifestyle and avoiding symptom triggers are also advised. Whether to undergo surgery to reduce risk or not and its timing can be a complex decision-making process. Women need to be carefully counselled on the pros and cons of both preventative surgery and HRT use so they can make informed decisions and choices.

Breast cancer risk in BRCA mutation carriers after diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer is lower than in carriers without ovarian cancer

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Rate of breast cancer diagnosis after ovarian cancer in women with BRCA pathogenic mutations was 14.5%.

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The majority of breast cancers, 87%, were diagnosed at stage 0-II.

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Median times from ovarian cancer to breast cancer diagnosis was 80 months.

Objective

Evaluate the incidence and characteristics of breast cancers (BC) diagnosed following an epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) diagnosis in women with pathogenic BRCA mutations.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of all women in an integrated healthcare system with BRCA mutations diagnosed with EOC from 1/1/1997–12/31/2018. Primary outcome was rate of subsequent BC diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included risk factors associated with development of BC, median time to detection following EOC, and method of detection.

Results

There were 284 women with BRCA-associated EOC identified. Fifty-two women had risk-reducing mastectomy and were excluded. Of the 232 eligible women with a median follow-up of 5.6 years, 33 (14%) women were diagnosed with BC following EOC: 27 (11%) new cases and 6 (3%) recurrences. Twelve (36%) cases of BC were detected on screening mammogram, 4 (12%) on screening MRI, and 9 (27%) on work-up after presenting with a palpable lump. Twenty-nine (87%) were early stage (0-II) disease. Median interval from EOC to BC diagnosis was 80 months (IQR 32, 134) for new and 63 months (IQR 21, 94) for recurrent BCs. There was one death from breast cancer while 12 women died of ovarian cancer.

Conclusions

Most BC following BRCA-associated EOC is early stage and not associated with mortality. Given BC rate similar to general population and median diagnosis at 6.6 years following ovarian cancer, increased BC screening may not be warranted in the early years after EOC diagnosis.

Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy and Breast Cancer Risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers: Assessing the Evidence

Without preventive interventions, women with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have high lifetime risks for breast cancer and tubo-ovarian cancer. The increased risk for breast cancer starts at a considerably younger age than that for tubo-ovarian cancer. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (rrBSO) is effective in reducing tubo-ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, but whether it reduces breast cancer risk is less clear. All studies of rrBSO and breast cancer risk are observational in nature and subject to various forms of bias and confounding, thus limiting conclusions that can be drawn about causation. Early studies supported a statistically significant protective association for rrBSO on breast cancer risk, which is reflected by several international guidelines that recommend consideration of premenopausal rrBSO for breast cancer risk reduction. However, these historical studies were hampered by the presence of several important biases, including immortal person-time bias, confounding by indication, informative censoring, and confounding by other risk factors, which may have led to overestimation of any protective benefit. Contemporary studies, specifically designed to reduce some of these biases, have yielded contradictory results. Taken together, there is no clear and consistent evidence for a role of premenopausal rrBSO in reducing breast cancer risk in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Preimplantation genetic testing for BRCA gene mutation carriers: a cost effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND

Gynecologic oncologists should be aware of the option of conception through IVF/PGT-M for families with high BRCA related morbidity or mortality. Our objective was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of preimplantation genetic testing for selection and transfer of BRCA negative embryo in BRCA mutation carriers compared to natural conception.

METHODS

Cost-effectiveness of two strategies, conception through IVF/PGT-M and BRCA negative embryo transfer versus natural conception with a 50% chance of BRCA positive newborn for BRCA mutation carriers was compared using a Markovian process decision analysis model. Costs of the two strategies were compared using quality adjusted life years (QALYs'). All costs were discounted at 3%. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) compared to willingness to pay threshold was used for cost-effectiveness analysis.

RESULTS

IVF/ PGT-M is cost-effective with an ICER of 150,219 new Israeli Shekels, per QALY gained (equivalent to 44,480 USD), at a 3% discount rate.

CONCLUSIONS

IVF/ PGT-M and BRCA negative embryo transfer compared to natural conception among BRCA positive parents is cost effective and may be offered for selected couples with high BRCA mutation related morbidity or mortality. Our results could impact decisions regarding conception among BRCA positive couples and health care providers.

Endometrial Cancer Risk in Women With Germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutations: Multicenter Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) risk in BReast CAncer gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2) mutation carriers is uncertain; therefore, we assessed this in a large Dutch nationwide cohort study.

METHODS

We selected 5980 BRCA1/2 (3788 BRCA1, 2151 gBRCA2, 41 both BRCA1/BRCA2) and 8451 non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers from the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer study, the Netherlands cohort. Follow-up started at the date of the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry coverage (January 1, 1989) or at the age of 25 years (whichever came last) and ended at date of EC diagnosis, last follow-up, or death (whichever came first). EC risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers was compared with 1) the general population, estimating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) based on Dutch population-based incidence rates; and 2) non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, using Cox-regression analyses, expressed as hazard ratio (HR). Statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight BRCA1/2 and 33 non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers developed EC over 119 296 and 160 841 person-years, respectively (SIR = 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.18 to 3.65; and HR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.53 to 3.69, respectively). gBRCA1 mutation carriers showed increased risks for EC overall (SIR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.61 to 4.72; HR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.83 to 4.66), serous-like EC (SIR = 12.64, 95% CI = 7.62 to 20.96; HR = 10.48, 95% CI = 2.95 to 37.20), endometrioid EC (SIR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.80 to 3.83; HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.18 to 3.45), and TP53-mutated EC (HR = 15.71, 95% CI = 4.62 to 53.40). For BRCA2 mutation carriers, overall (SIR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.87) and serous-like EC risks (SIR = 5.11, 95% CI = 1.92 to 13.63) were increased compared with the general population. Absolute risks by 75 years remained low (overall EC = 3.0%; serous-like EC = 1.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have a two- to threefold increased risk for EC, with highest risk observed for the rare subgroups of serous-like and p53-abnormal EC in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

Association of Salpingectomy With Delayed Oophorectomy Versus Salpingo-oophorectomy With Quality of Life in BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variant Carriers: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Importance

Most women with a BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant undergo premature menopause with potential short- and long-term morbidity due to the current method of ovarian carcinoma prevention: risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). Because the fallopian tubes play a key role in ovarian cancer pathogenesis, salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy may be a novel risk-reducing strategy with benefits of delaying menopause.

Objective

To compare menopause-related quality of life after risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS) with delayed oophorectomy with RRSO in carriers of the BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A multicenter nonrandomized controlled preference trial (TUBA study), with patient recruitment between January 16, 2015, and November 7, 2019, and follow-up at 3 and 12 months after surgery was conducted in all Dutch university hospitals and a few large general hospitals. In the Netherlands, RRSO is predominantly performed in these hospitals. Patients at the clinical genetics or gynecology department between the ages of 25 and 40 years (BRCA1) or 25 to 45 years (BRCA2) who were premenopausal, had completed childbearing, and were undergoing no current treatment for cancer were eligible.

Interventions

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy at currently recommended age or RRS after completed childbearing with delayed oophorectomy. After RRSO was performed, hormone replacement therapy was recommended for women without contraindications.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Menopause-related quality of life as assessed by the Greene Climacteric Scale, with a higher scale sum (range, 0-63) representing more climacteric symptoms. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life, sexual functioning and distress, cancer worry, decisional regret, and surgical outcomes.

Results

A total of 577 women (mean [SD] age, 37.2 [3.5] years) were enrolled: 297 (51.5%) were pathogenic BRCA1 variant carriers and 280 (48.5%) were BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers. At the time of analysis, 394 patients had undergone RRS and 154 had undergone RRSO. Without hormone replacement therapy, the adjusted mean increase from the baseline score on the Greene Climacteric Scale was 6.7 (95% CI, 5.0-8.4; P < .001) points higher during 1 year after RRSO than after RRS. After RRSO with hormone replacement therapy, the difference was 3.6 points (95% CI, 2.3-4.8; P < .001) compared with RRS.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this nonrandomized controlled trial suggest that patients have better menopause-related quality of life after RRS than after RRSO, regardless of hormone replacement therapy. An international follow-up study is currently evaluating the oncologic safety of this therapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02321228.

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and breast cancer incidence among Jewish BRCA1/BRCA2-mutation carriers-an Israeli matched-pair study

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) and breast cancer risk among BRCA pathogenic sequence variants (PSV).

METHODS

Jewish Israeli BRCA carriers who underwent RRBSO were matched with those who did not-by the mutated gene and year of birth (±1 year). Breast cancer rates were compared.

RESULTS

Overall, 127 pairs met the inclusion criteria, 79 (60.6%) pairs harbored BRCA1 PSV and 50 (39.4%) pairs harbored BRCA2 PSV. Median follow up was 8.7 years (interquartile range 4.6-16.1 years). Breast cancer rate for all BRCA carriers combined was not affected by RRBSO (RRBSO 21 [16.5%] versus no RRBSO 31 [24.4%], hazard ratio [HR] for breast cancer 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-1.14, P = 0.127). No association between RRBSO and breast cancer incidence was noted among BRCA1 PSV carriers. In BRCA2 PSV carriers, RRBSO was associated with a decreased overall breast cancer incidence (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.44-0.91, P = 0.038), as well as after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. Hormone replacement therapy was used by 62 PSV carriers, 52 in the RRBSO group and 10 in the no-RRBSO group and did not affect breast cancer risk (P = 0.463).

CONCLUSION

RRBSO is associated with breast cancer risk reduction in Jewish Israeli BRCA2 PSV carriers. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with breast cancer risk reduction in Jewish Israeli BRCA2 pathogenic sequence variant carriers.

Breast cancer incidence in BRCA mutation carriers with ovarian cancer: A longitudal observational study

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the incidence of breast cancer and overall survival in a multi-center cohort of ovarian cancer patients carrying BRCA1/2 mutations in order to assess risks and formulate optimal preventive interventions and/or surveillance.

METHODS

Medical records of 502 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 2000 and 2018 at 7 medical centers in Israel and one in New York were retrospectively analyzed for breast cancer diagnosis. Data included demographics, type of BRCA mutations, surveillance methods, timing of breast cancer diagnosis, and family history of cancer.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 55.8 years (range, 23.9-90.1). A third (31.5%) had a family history of breast cancer and 17.1% of ovarian cancer. Most patients (67.3%) were Ashkenazi Jews, 72.9% were BRCA1 carriers. Breast cancer preceded ovarian cancer in 17.5% and was diagnosed after ovarian cancer in 6.2%; an additional 2.2% had a synchronous presentation. Median time to breast cancer diagnosis after ovarian cancer was 46.0 months (range, 11-168). Of those diagnosed with both breast cancer and ovarian cancer (n = 31), 83.9% and 16.1% harbored BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, respectively. No deaths from breast cancer were recorded. Overall survival did not differ statistically between patients with an ovarian cancer diagnosis only and those diagnosed with breast cancer after ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

The low incidence of breast cancer after ovarian cancer in women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations suggests that routine breast surveillance, rather than risk-reducing surgical interventions, may be sufficient in ovarian cancer survivors.

BRCA Genetic Test and Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: State-of-the-Art

In the field of gynecology, the approval of the PARP inhibitors (PARPi) has been changing the treatment of ovarian cancer patients. The BRCA genetic test and the HRD test are being used as a companion diagnosis before starting PARPi treatment. BRACAnalysis CDx^® and Myriad myChoice^® HRD test are widely used as a BRCA genetic test and HRD test, respectively. In addition, FoundationOne^®CDx is sometimes used as a tumor BRCA test and HRD test. In clinical practice, gynecologists treating ovarian cancer are faced with making decisions such as whether to recommend the gBRCA test to all ovarian cancer patients, whether to perform the gBRCA test first or HRD test first, and so on. Regarding the judgment result of the HRD test, the cutoff value differs depending on the clinical trial, and the prevalence of gBRCA pathogenic variant rate is different in each histological type and country. A prospective cohort study showed that RRSO reduced all-cause mortality in both pre- and postmenopausal women; however, RRSO significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer for BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers, but not for BRCA1 pathogenic variant carriers. Moreover, salpingectomy alone is said to not decrease the risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer, so further discussion is evidently required. We discuss the current situation and problems in doing BRCA genetic test and RRSO in this review article.

Hormone replacement therapy in BRCA mutation carriers and risk of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancer: a systematic review

Purpose

BRCA mutation carriers have an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) is associated with a decrease in risk for tubal and ovarian cancer. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer risk in the general population. This review analyses the published data on HRT and risk of cancer in BRCA mutation carriers with and without RRBSO.

Methods

We included all relevant articles published in English from 1995 to October 2020. Sources were identified through a search on PubMed and Cochrane Library.

Results

We included one case–control and one retrospective cohort study on ovarian and one case–control study on endometrial cancer risk and HRT in BRCA mutation carriers. Regarding breast cancer risk, one case–control study on BRCA mutation carriers with and without RRBSO and one case–control study, one Markov chain decision model, two prospective cohort studies, and one metaanalysis on carriers after RRBSO were included. For ovarian cancer, results were ambiguous. For breast cancer, most studies did not find an adverse effect associated with HRT. However, some of the studies found a risk modification associated with different formulations and duration of use.

Conclusion

Although data are limited, HRT does not seem to have a relevant effect on cancer risk in BRCA mutation carriers. RRBSO should not be postponed to avoid subsequent HRT in this population. Adequate HRT after RRBSO should be offered to avoid chronic diseases resulting from low estrogen levels. However, further data on the safety of different formulations are needed.

Association of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy With Breast Cancer Risk in Women With BRCA1 and BRCA2 Pathogenic Variants

IMPORTANCE

Women with pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. They usually undergo intensive cancer surveillance and may also consider surgical interventions, such as risk-reducing mastectomy or risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk, but its association with breast cancer risk is less clear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of RRSO with the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This case series included families enrolled in the Breast Cancer Family Registry between 1996 and 2000 that carried an inherited pathogenic variant in BRCA1 (498 families) or BRCA2 (378 families). A survival analysis approach was used that was designed specifically to assess the time-varying association of RRSO with breast cancer risk and accounting for other potential biases. Data were analyzed from August 2019 to November 2020.

EXPOSURE

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

In all analyses, the primary end point was the time to a first primary breast cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 876 families were evaluated, including 498 with BRCA1 (2650 individuals; mean [SD] event age, 55.8 [19.1] years; 437 White probands [87.8%]) and 378 with BRCA2 (1925 individuals; mean [SD] event age, 57.0 [18.6] years; 299 White probands [79.1%]). Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers within 5 years after surgery (hazard ratios [HRs], 0.28 [95% CI, 0.10-0.63] and 0.19 [95% CI, 0.06-0.71], respectively), whereas the corresponding HRs were weaker after 5 years postsurgery (HRs, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.38-0.97] and 0.99 [95% CI; 0.84-1.00], respectively). For BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers who underwent RRSO at age 40 years, the cause-specific cumulative risk of breast cancer was 49.7% (95% CI, 40.0-60.3) and 52.7% (95% CI, 47.9-58.7) by age 70 years, respectively, compared with 61.0% (95% CI, 56.7-66.0) and 54.0% (95% CI, 49.3-60.1), respectively, for women without RRSO.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although the primary indication for RRSO is the prevention of ovarian cancer, it is also critical to assess its association with breast cancer risk in order to guide clinical decision-making about RRSO use and timing. The results of this case series suggest a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with RRSO in the immediate 5 years after surgery in women carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants, and a longer-term association with cumulative breast cancer risk in women carrying BRCA1 pathogenic variants.

Surgical decision making in premenopausal BRCA carriers considering risk-reducing early salpingectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Acceptance of the role of the fallopian tube in 'ovarian' carcinogenesis and the detrimental sequelae of surgical menopause in premenopausal women following risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) has resulted in risk-reducing early-salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy (RRESDO) being proposed as an attractive alternative risk-reducing strategy in women who decline/delay oophorectomy. We present the results of a qualitative study evaluating the decision-making process among BRCA carriers considering prophylactic surgeries (RRSO/RRESDO) as part of the multicentre PROTECTOR trial (ISRCTN:25173360).

METHODS

In-depth semistructured 1:1 interviews conducted using a predeveloped topic-guide (development informed by literature review and expert consultation) until informational saturation reached. Wording and sequencing of questions were left open with probes used to elicit additional information. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, transcripts analysed using an inductive theoretical framework and data managed using NVIVO-v12.

RESULTS

Informational saturation was reached following 24 interviews. Seven interconnected themes integral to surgical decision making were identified: fertility/menopause/cancer risk reduction/surgical choices/surgical complications/sequence of ovarian-and-breast prophylactic surgeries/support/satisfaction. Women for whom maximising ovarian cancer risk reduction was relatively more important than early menopause/quality-of-life preferred RRSO, whereas those more concerned about detrimental impact of menopause chose RRESDO. Women managed in specialist familial cancer clinic settings compared with non-specialist settings felt they received better quality care, improved hormone replacement therapy access and were more satisfied.

CONCLUSION

Multiple contextual factors (medical, physical, psychological, social) influence timing of risk-reducing surgeries. RRESDO offers women delaying/declining premenopausal oophorectomy, particularly those concerned about menopausal effects, a degree of ovarian cancer risk reduction while avoiding early menopause. Care of high-risk women should be centralised to centres with specialist familial gynaecological cancer risk management services to provide a better-quality, streamlined, holistic multidisciplinary approach.

Uptake and efficacy of bilateral risk reducing surgery in unaffected female BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers

BACKGROUND

Women testing positive for BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants have high lifetime risks of breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer. The effectiveness of risk reducing surgery (RRS) has been demonstrated in numerous previous studies. We evaluated long-term uptake, timing and effectiveness of risk reducing mastectomy (RRM) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in healthy BRCA1/2 carriers.

METHODS

Women were prospectively followed up from positive genetic test (GT) result to censor date. χ² testing compared categorical variables; Cox regression model estimated HRs and 95% CI for BC/ovarian cancer cases associated with RRS, and impact on all-cause mortality; Kaplan-Meier curves estimated cumulative RRS uptake. The annual cancer incidence was estimated by women-years at risk.

RESULTS

In total, 887 women were included in this analysis. Mean follow-up was 6.26 years (range=0.01-24.3; total=4685.4 women-years). RRS was performed in 512 women, 73 before GT. Overall RRM uptake was 57.9% and RRSO uptake was 78.6%. The median time from GT to RRM was 18.4 months, and from GT to RRSO-10.0 months. Annual BC incidence in the study population was 1.28%. Relative BC risk reduction (RRM versus non-RRM) was 94%. Risk reduction of ovarian cancer (RRSO versus non-RRSO) was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Over a 24-year period, we observed an increasing number of women opting for RRS. We showed that the timing of RRS remains suboptimal, especially in women undergoing RRSO. Both RRM and RRSO showed a significant effect on relevant cancer risk reduction. However, there was no statistically significant RRSO protective effect on BC.

Risk Management for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers without and with breast cancer

Purpose of review

We review the management for unaffected BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and the local management of early stage breast cancer.

Recent findings

For unaffected BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, surveillance includes annual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammogram (MG). Novel imaging modalities, including abbreviated protocol MRI, ultrafast/accelerated MRI, and contrast-enhanced digital mammography are being investigated. Risk reducing mastectomy (RRM) should be considered, and nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy (NSM) is now an option. Additionally, risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is strongly recommended as it reduces mortality.In BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with breast cancer, BCT is an appropriate treatment option but to reduce risk of second primary, mastectomy and contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy should be considered.

Long-Term Morbidity and Health After Early Menopause Due to Oophorectomy in Women at Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer: Protocol for a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study With Prospective Follow-Up (HARMOny Study)

Background

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are recommended to undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) at 35 to 45 years of age. RRSO substantially decreases ovarian cancer risk, but at the cost of immediate menopause. Knowledge about the potential adverse effects of premenopausal RRSO, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive dysfunction, and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), is limited.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the long-term health effects of premenopausal RRSO on cardiovascular disease, bone health, cognitive functioning, urological complaints, sexual functioning, and HRQoL in women with high familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer.

Methods

We will conduct a multicenter cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up, nested in a nationwide cohort of women at high familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer. A total of 500 women who have undergone RRSO before 45 years of age, with a follow-up period of at least 10 years, will be compared with 250 women (frequency matched on current age) who have not undergone RRSO or who have undergone RRSO at over 55 years of age. Participants will complete an online questionnaire on lifestyle, medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, osteoporosis, cognitive function, urological complaints, and HRQoL. A full cardiovascular assessment and assessment of bone mineral density will be performed. Blood samples will be obtained for marker analysis. Cognitive functioning will be assessed objectively with an online neuropsychological test battery.

Results

This study was approved by the institutional review board in July 2018. In February 2019, we included our first participant. As of November 2020, we had enrolled 364 participants in our study.

Conclusions

Knowledge from this study will contribute to counseling women with a high familial risk of breast/ovarian cancer about the long-term health effects of premenopausal RRSO. The results can also be used to offer health recommendations after RRSO.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03835793; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03835793.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/24414

Risk-Adjusted Prevention. Perspectives on the Governance of Entitlements to Benefits in the Case of Genetic (Breast Cancer) Risks

This article is a revised version of our proposal for the establishment of the legal concept of risk-adjusted prevention in the German healthcare system to regulate access to risk-reduction measures for persons at high and moderate genetic cancer risk (Meier et al. Risikoadaptierte Prävention'. Governance Perspective für Leistungsansprüche bei genetischen (Brustkrebs-)Risiken, Springer, Wiesbaden, 2018). The German context specifics are summarized to enable the source text to be used for other country-specific healthcare systems. Establishing such a legal concept is relevant to all universal and free healthcare systems similar to Germany's. Disease risks can be determined with increasing precision using bioinformatics and biostatistical innovations ('big data'), due to the identification of pathogenic germ line mutations in cancer risk genes as well as non-genetic factors and their interactions. These new technologies open up opportunities to adapt therapeutic and preventive measures to the individual risk profile of complex diseases in a way that was previously unknown, enabling not only adequate treatment but in the best case, prevention. Access to risk-reduction measures for carriers of genetic risks is generally not regulated in healthcare systems that guarantee universal and equal access to healthcare benefits. In many countries, including Austria, Denmark, the UK and the US, entitlement to benefits is essentially linked to the treatment of already manifest disease. Issues around claiming benefits for prophylactic measures involve not only evaluation of clinical options (genetic diagnostics, chemoprevention, risk-reduction surgery), but the financial cost and-from a social ethics perspective-the relationship between them. Section 1 of this chapter uses the specific example of hereditary breast cancer to show why from a medical, social-legal, health-economic and socio-ethical perspective, regulated entitlement to benefits is necessary for persons at high and moderate risk of cancer. Section 2 discusses the medical needs of persons with genetic cancer risks and goes on to develop the healthy sick model which is able to integrate the problems of the different disciplines into one scheme and to establish criteria for the legal acknowledgement of persons at high and moderate (breast cancer) risks. In the German context, the social-legal categories of classical therapeutic medicine do not adequately represent preventive measures as a regular service within the healthcare system. We propose risk-adjusted prevention as a new legal concept based on the heuristic healthy sick model. This category can serve as a legal framework for social law regulation in the case of persons with genetic cancer risks. Risk-adjusted prevention can be established in principle in any healthcare system. Criteria are also developed in relation to risk collectives and allocation (Sects. 3, 4, 5).

Cost Effectiveness of Whole Population BRCA Genetic Screening for Cancer Prevention in Israel

With the growing technical ease and reduction in genetic screening costs, whole population BRCA screening may be a feasible option. Our objective was to investigate the cost effectiveness of whole population screening for BRCA mutations in Israel, for varying degrees of BRCA carrier state. Lifetime costs of whole female population screening for BRCA mutation carrier state versus nonscreening were compared using a Markovian process decision analysis model. Model parameters including ovarian and breast cancer risks were obtained from previously published data. Screening and other treatment-related costs were received from the Israeli Ministry of Health pricing list according to specified codes. Quality-adjusted life years were used for cost-effectiveness analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate model uncertainties, specifically varying degrees of BRCA prevalence. Results show that whole population BRCA screening in Israel is cost effective across a wide range of BRCA prevalence rates with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 81,493 new Israeli Shekels for a BRCA prevalence of 2.5%, increasing to 250,000 new Israeli Shekels for a 0.75% prevalence rate, per quality-adjusted life year gained. Discount rate and population BRCA prevalence and rate of risk reduction salpingo-oophorectomy are the most influential parameters in the model. Whole population screening for BRCA mutations should be offered as part of general health screening strategies by national medical insurance providers, even for non-Ashkenazi Jews. Our algorithm can be applied for other countries, adjusting local costs of screening and treatment. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Whole population BRCA mutation screening in Israel is cost effective across a wide prevalence rate and should be offered as part of general health screening strategies by national medical insurance providers for cancer prevention.

Targeting progesterone signaling prevents metastatic ovarian cancer

Effective cancer prevention requires the discovery and intervention of a factor critical to cancer development. Here we show that ovarian progesterone is a crucial endogenous factor inducing the development of primary tumors progressing to metastatic ovarian cancer in a mouse model of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common and deadliest ovarian cancer type. Blocking progesterone signaling by the pharmacologic inhibitor mifepristone or by genetic deletion of the progesterone receptor (PR) effectively suppressed HGSC development and its peritoneal metastases. Strikingly, mifepristone treatment profoundly improved mouse survival (∼18 human years). Hence, targeting progesterone/PR signaling could offer an effective chemopreventive strategy, particularly in high-risk populations of women carrying a deleterious mutation in the BRCA gene.

Should the risk for uterine cancer influence decision making for prophylactic hysterectomy in BRCA1/2 mutated patients- a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To study the possible association between uterine cancer and the BRCA1/2 associated cancer syndrome and discuss the implications of such an association on the clinical managment of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Study protocol was prospectively registered at PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (registration number CRD42020193496). Considered for inclusion were studies providing the diagnosis rate of uterine cancer in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations by comparing observed and expected rate according to a known disease incidence. The results were measured by standardized incidence ratio (SIR). The primary outcome was defined as any uterine cancer diagnosis and subgroup analyses were conducted for uterine serous papillary cancer (USPC) specifically and for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations separately.

RESULTS

4591 records were identified through database search; eight studies were finally included, comprising 13,098 patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. BRCA1/2 mutated patients were found to have a significantly higher risk for uterine cancer compared to the general population (SIR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.76-2.8, p < 0.001). A higher incidence of USPC was also found in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (SIR = 17.97, 95% CI 9.89-32.66, p < 0.001), as well as in a separate analysis for BRCA1 (SIR = 2.81, 95% CI 2.09-3.79, p < 0.001) and BRCA2 (SIR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.09-2.80, p < 0.001) mutations.

CONCLUSION

Patients who carry a BRCA1/2 mutation are at a significantly higher risk of developing uterine cancer, specifically USPC, supporting that USPC may be a component of the BRCA1/2 syndrome. The decision to perform concurrent hysterectomy at the time of the risk reduction bilateral salpingo -oophorectomy surgery should be considered individually.

Specialist oncological surgery for removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers may reduce primary peritoneal cancer risk to very low levels

Risk‐reducing bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy (RRBSO) is highly effective for the prevention of high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers (PVCs), but does not completely eliminate future risk of primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). The requirement to completely remove fallopian tubes at RRBSO and carefully exclude occult cancer/serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) lesions may not have been appreciated historically. We calculated rates of HGSOC and PPC in confirmed BRCA1/2 PVCs registered on the regional database in those who did (cases) and did not (controls) undergo RRBSO after genetic testing. Expected annual rates of ovarian/peritoneal cancer were 1% for BRCA1 ≥ 35 years and 0.5% for BRCA2 ≥ 45 years. Follow‐up before 35/45 years was “risk free” and lead time excluded RRBSO <35 years and <45 years for BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Women were followed from personal mutation report (controls) or RRBSO (cases) to death, ovarian/peritoneal cancer or last follow‐up, whichever was sooner. In total, 891 cases (BRCA1 = 468, BRCA2 = 423) and 1302 controls had follow‐up ≥35 years (BRCA1 = 736) and ≥45 years (BRCA2 = 566), respectively, over a total of 7261.1 risk eligible years (mean = 8.15 years). Twenty‐one occult ovarian cancers were found at RRBSO (2.4%), 16 at stage 1. Post RRBSO, 56.97 ovarian/peritoneal cancers were expected but only 3 were observed (HR = 0.053; 95% CI = 0.013‐0.14), with combined Kaplan‐Meier analysis HR = 0.029 (95% CI = 0.009‐0.100, P < .001). Risk reduction was greater in specialist (HR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.001‐0.13) compared to non‐specialist centres (HR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.02‐0.37) (P = .07). In controls, 23.35 ovarian/peritoneal cancers were expected with 32 observed (HR = 1.37; 95% CI = 0.95‐1.91). RRBSO <35/<45 years reduces the risk of ovarian/peritoneal cancer by 95% in BRCA1/2 PVCs and may be greater in specialist centres.

What's new?

Women who carry genetic variants in BRCA1/2 that are linked to high‐grade serous ovarian cancer are advised to undergo risk‐reducing prophylactic bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy (RRBSO). RRBSO, however, is associated with a significant residual risk of primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). Here, the rate of PPC following prophylactic surgery for high‐grade serous ovarian cancer was investigated among 2,193 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who had undergone RRBSO. Estimates indicate that prophylactic surgery reduced the overall risk of PPC by 95 percent, a far greater reduction than previously described. Residual risk was lowest when RRBSO was carried out at specialist centers compared to non‐specialist centers.

Oncology Advanced Practitioners and Breast Cancer Prevention

One in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Advanced practitioners in oncology can offer risk assessments, counseling, genetic testing, and make both behavioral and pharmacologic recommendations for breast cancer risk reduction. The role of oncology advanced practitioners in conjunction with genetic counselors is key in what is now considered the standard of care. This article will summarize the current state of breast cancer prevention and the role of oncology advanced practitioners.

Population Screening for Inherited Predisposition to Breast and Ovarian Cancer

The discovery of genes underlying inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer has revolutionized the ability to identify women at high risk for these diseases before they become affected. Women who are carriers of deleterious variants in these genes can undertake surveillance and prevention measures that have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, under current strategies, the vast majority of women carriers remain undetected until they become affected. In this review, we show that universal testing, particularly of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, fulfills classical disease screening criteria. This is especially true for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Ashkenazi Jews but is translatable to all populations and may include additional genes. Utilizing genetic information for large-scale precision prevention requires a paradigmatic shift in health-care delivery. To address this need, we propose a direct-to-patient model, which is increasingly pertinent for fulfilling the promise of utilizing personal genomic information for disease prevention.

Attitudes towards risk-reducing early salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy for ovarian cancer prevention: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk-reducing early salpingectomy and delayed oophorectomy (RRESDO) acceptability and effect of surgical prevention on menopausal sequelae/satisfaction/regret in women at increased ovarian cancer (OC) risk.

DESIGN

Multicentre, cohort, questionnaire study (IRSCTN:12310993).

SETTING

United Kingdom (UK).

POPULATION

UK women without OC ≥18 years, at increased OC risk, with/without previous RRSO, ascertained through specialist familial cancer/genetic clinics and BRCA support groups.

METHODS

Participants completed a 39-item questionnaire. Baseline characteristics were described using descriptive statistics. Logistic/linear regression models analysed the impact of variables on RRESDO acceptability and health outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOMES

RRESDO acceptability, menopausal sequelae, satisfaction/regret.

RESULTS

In all, 346 of 683 participants underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). Of premenopausal women who had not undergone RRSO, 69.1% (181/262) found it acceptable to participate in a research study offering RRESDO. Premenopausal women concerned about sexual dysfunction were more likely to find RRESDO acceptable (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-7.7, P = 0.025). Women experiencing sexual dysfunction after premenopausal RRSO were more likely to find RRESDO acceptable in retrospect (OR = 5.3, 95% CI 1.2-27.5, P < 0.031). In all, 88.8% (143/161) premenopausal and 95.2% (80/84) postmenopausal women who underwent RRSO, respectively, were satisfied with their decision, whereas 9.4% (15/160) premenopausal and 1.2% (1/81) postmenopausal women who underwent RRSO regretted their decision. HRT uptake in premenopausal individuals without breast cancer (BC) was 74.1% (80/108). HRT use did not significantly affect satisfaction/regret levels but did reduce symptoms of vaginal dryness (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, P = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

Data show high RRESDO acceptability, particularly in women concerned about sexual dysfunction. Although RRSO satisfaction remains high, regret rates are much higher for premenopausal women than for postmenopausal women. HRT use following premenopausal RRSO does not increase satisfaction but does reduce vaginal dryness.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

RRESDO has high acceptability among premenopausal women at increased ovarian cancer risk, particularly those concerned about sexual dysfunction.

Key steps for effective breast cancer prevention

Despite decades of laboratory, epidemiological and clinical research, breast cancer incidence continues to rise. Breast cancer remains the leading cancer-related cause of disease burden for women, affecting one in 20 globally and as many as one in eight in high-income countries. Reducing breast cancer incidence will likely require both a population-based approach of reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors and a precision-prevention approach of identifying women at increased risk and targeting them for specific interventions, such as risk-reducing medication. We already have the capacity to estimate an individual woman's breast cancer risk using validated risk assessment models, and the accuracy of these models is likely to continue to improve over time, particularly with inclusion of newer risk factors, such as polygenic risk and mammographic density. Evidence-based risk-reducing medications are cheap, widely available and recommended by professional health bodies; however, widespread implementation of these has proven challenging. The barriers to uptake of, and adherence to, current medications will need to be considered as we deepen our understanding of breast cancer initiation and begin developing and testing novel preventives.

Comparison of Patient Susceptibility Genes Across Breast Cancer: Implications for Prognosis and Therapeutic Outcomes

Hereditary breast cancer syndromes affect a small (10–15% of cases) but significant group of patients. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most familiar and well-studied genes associated with inherited breast cancer. However, mutations in the high-penetrance genes, TP53, PTEN, CDH1, MSH1, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2, PALB2, and STK11, and in the moderate-penetrance genes, CHEK2, ATM, and BRIP1, also correlate with high lifetime risks of breast cancer and other malignancies as well. Advances in breast cancer genetics have led to an improved perception of diagnosis and screening strategies. The specific considerations and challenges involved in treating this unique population have become a fertile ground for research. Indeed, these genes and downstream molecular pathways have now become potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer patients, including those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This review describes the variety of hereditary breast cancer genes, from their molecular origins to the prognosis and multidisciplinary clinical decision-making processes. Key publications and other reported recent clinical trials and guidelines are provided.

Management of breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who are unaffected with cancer

Pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes markedly increase the risk of breast cancer and other cancers such as ovarian/fallopian tube, pancreatic, prostate, and melanoma. Patients with BRCA1 mutations have a slightly higher lifetime risk of breast cancer than BRCA2 mutation carriers, and both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers tend to develop breast cancer at an earlier age than the general population. In this review, we will discuss management recommendations to reduce breast cancer risk for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers including special populations of carriers such as pregnant or lactating patients and men. Breast cancer screening, including clinical breast examination, mammogram, and breast MRI, is important for detecting breast cancer at an early and likely curable stage. In addition to screening, counseling on risk-reducing surgeries is strongly recommended for BRCA1/2 carriers. Risk-reducing mastectomy decreases the risk of breast cancer development, and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy decreases ovarian cancer-specific as well as overall mortality, but controversy exists regarding its impact on breast cancer-specific mortality. Given the effectiveness of screening for breast cancer, further management should be carried out on an individual basis taking into account quality of life and psychosocial factors, and recommendations should be readdressed periodically as science progresses and patients' goals may change.

Genetic Counseling, Testing, and Management of HBOC in India: An Expert Consensus Document from Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology

PURPOSE

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is primarily characterized by mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes. There are several barriers to the implementation of genetic testing and counseling in India that may affect clinical decisions. These consensus recommendations were therefore convened as a collaborative effort to improve testing and management of HBOC in India.

DESIGN

Recommendations were developed by a multidisciplinary group of experts from the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology and some invited experts on the basis of graded evidence from the literature and using a formal Delphi process to help reach consensus. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to source relevant articles.

RESULTS

This consensus statement provides practical insight into identifying patients who should undergo genetic counseling and testing on the basis of assessments of family and ancestry and personal history of HBOC. It discusses the need and significance of genetic counselors and medical professionals who have the necessary expertise in genetic counseling and testing. Recommendations elucidate requirements of pretest counseling, including discussions on genetic variants of uncertain significance and risk reduction options. The group of experts recommended single-site mutation testing in families with a known mutation and next-generation sequencing coupled with multiplex ligation probe amplification for the detection of large genomic rearrangements for unknown mutations. Recommendations for surgical and lifestyle-related risk reduction approaches and management using poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors are also detailed.

CONCLUSION

With rapid strides being made in the field of genetic testing/counseling in India, more oncologists are expected to include genetic testing/counseling as part of their clinical practice. These consensus recommendations are anticipated to help homogenize genetic testing and management of HBOC in India for improved patient care.

Executive Summary of the Early-Onset Breast Cancer Evidence Review Conference

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Bring Your Brave campaign to increase knowledge about early-onset breast cancer, defined as breast cancer in women aged 18-45 years. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists convened a panel of experts in breast disease from the Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology to review relevant literature, validated tools, best practices, and practice guidelines as a first step toward developing educational materials for women's health care providers about early-onset breast cancer. Panel members conducted structured literature reviews, which were then reviewed by other panel members and discussed at an in-person meeting of stakeholder professional and patient advocacy organizations in April 2019. This article summarizes the relevant literature, existing guidance, and validated tools to guide health care providers in the prevention, early detection, and special considerations of early-onset breast cancer. Substantive knowledge gaps were noted and summarized to provide guidance for future research.

Association of premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy with breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: Maximising bias-reduction

BACKGROUND

Whether risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in BRCA1/2 carriers reduces the breast cancer (BC) risk is conflicting, potentially due to methodological issues of prior analysis. We analysed the association between premenopausal RRSO and BC risk in BRCA1/2 carriers after adjusting for potential biases.

METHODS

We analysed data from 444 BRCA1 and 409 BRCA2 carriers under age 51 with no cancer prior to genetic testing or during first 6 months of surveillance (to avoid cancer-induced testing bias and prevalent-cancer bias). Observation started 6 months after genetic testing (to avoid event-free time bias), until BC diagnosis, risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) or death. A multistate model with four states (non-RRSO, RRSO, RRM and BC) and five transitions was fitted to characterise outcomes and to calculate the BC risk reduction after premenopausal RRSO (before age 51). A systematic review was performed to assess the association between premenopausal RRSO and BC.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 96 women (11.3%) developed BC (54 BRCA1, 42 BRCA2). The risk of BC after premenopausal RRSO decreased significantly in BRCA1 carriers (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.45 [95% confidence interval (CI):0.22-0.92]), but was not conclusive in BRCA2 carriers (HR = 0.77 [95%CI:0.35-1.67]). The systematic review suggested that premenopausal RRSO is associated with a decrease of BC risk in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Premenopausal RRSO was associated with BC risk reduction in BRCA1 carriers, which can help guide cancer risk-reducing strategies in this population. Longer follow-up and larger sample size may be needed to estimate the potential benefit in BRCA2 carriers.

Risk-Reducing Oophorectomy and Breast Cancer Risk Across the Spectrum of Familial Risk

There remains debate about whether risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), which reduces ovarian cancer risk, also reduces breast cancer risk. We examined the association between RRSO and breast cancer risk using a prospective cohort of 17 917 women unaffected with breast cancer at baseline (7.2% known carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations). During a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 1046 women were diagnosed with incident breast cancer. Modeling RRSO as a time-varying exposure, there was no association with breast cancer risk overall (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.87 to 1.24) or by tertiles of predicted absolute risk based on family history (HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.32 to 1.47, HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.70 to 1.26, and HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.88 to 1.39, for lowest, middle, and highest tertile of risk, respectively) or for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers when examined separately. There was also no association after accounting for hormone therapy use after RRSO. These findings suggest that RRSO should not be considered efficacious for reducing breast cancer risk.