Do current family history-based genetic testing guidelines contribute to breast cancer health inequities?

Prior to the recommended age for population-based breast cancer screening by mammography, which ranges from 40-50 years depending on guidelines, the main way to identify higher risk women for earlier breast cancer (BC) screening to improve outcomes and discuss targeted chemoprevention is through specific clinical guidelines which are largely based on family history of breast cancer and known mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes. The annual percent change (APC) in early-onset BC continues to rise, with the higher early-onset cancer burden and mortality continuing to be seen in non-Hispanic black (NHB) women compared to non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. Coupled with the increasing incidence overall as well as the lower percent of BC family history reported in NHB women compared with that of NHW women means that continued reliance on guidelines to identify women for genetic screening and initiation of early BC screening based largely on family history could lead to even greater BC health inequities.

Meet the expert: Topical management of vulvar dermatoses.

Vulvar dermatoses are often debilitating chronic skin conditions associated with pain and pruritus. In oncologic patients, cancer treatments can precipitate and exacerbate vulvar dermatoses. Cytotoxic chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and local pelvic radiation therapy can lead to vulvar symptoms, and cancer treatment-induced vulvar conditions include graft-versus-host-disease and radiation dermatitis.