Barriers to the utilization of genetic testing and genetic counseling in patients with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.

A heritable condition is the identified cause of cancer in 5% to 10% of women with breast cancer and in 25% of women with ovarian cancer. It is critical to identify patients at risk for inherited genetic mutations to implement risk-reducing screening and interventions; however, reports in the medical literature indicate that an alarming number of patients with inherited genetic mutations do not receive recommended genetic counseling, testing, or interventions. In order to improve outcomes for these high-risk patients, barriers to genetic testing and counseling must be identified.