Abstract

The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) supports the role of Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) in providing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk assessment. At a minimum, HBOC risk assessment should include the woman’s personal cancer history; her maternal and paternal first-, second-, and third-degree relative cancer histories, with descriptions of the types of primary cancers and the ages of onset; any Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry; and the results of any cancer predisposition testing in any relative.This assessment should be reviewed and updated regularly. The goal of HBOC risk assessment is to identify women who may benefit from genetic counseling, genetic testing, enhanced surveillance, or other risk management strategies.
WHNPs should be knowledgeable about indicators of an increased risk for HBOC, as put forth by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).Women assessed
as being at increased risk should have access to genetic counseling by clinicians with training and expertise in cancer genetics. These specialists can provide genetic
testing if indicated and desired, psychosocial support, and evidence-based management that depends on identified risk and genetic testing results—if such testing is done.
Primary care providers with appropriate training and skills, including WHNPs, may provide HBOC genetic counseling and testing.An evidence-based protocol established according to guidelines provided by nationally recognized organizations such as NCCN must be followed to ensure that all recommended components of assessment, counseling, informed consent, appropriate testing, and follow-up are provided.

Author Details

As a national professional membership organization, NPWH is the nation's leading voice for courageous conversations about women's health. In our clinics and in our culture, women's health nurse practitioners champion state-of-the-science health care that holistically addresses the unique needs of women across their lifetimes. We elevate the health issues others overlook and compel attention on women's health from providers, policymakers, and researchers.

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Washington, DC, USA

Type

Position Statement

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer, HBOC, Genetic Testing, Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Position Statement

Publisher

The National Association of Nurse Practioners in Women's Health

Version

Publisher's Version

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Review Type

None: Reputation-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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