Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer -- Current Clinical Guidelines in Germany

About 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are due to germline mutations in known high-risk susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. There is a substantial proportion of families with a positive family history for these cancers, in which no mutation in one of the known susceptibility genes can be identified. In Germany, since 2005 the cost of genetic counseling, genetic testing and intensified surveillance programs for families at risk is taken over by most of the national health insurance companies. This is limited to a period of 3 years and by contract bound to university centers already specialized in the field. This article presents the current clinical guidelines for genetic testing, genetic counseling and intensified surveillance programs in Germany.     «

About 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are due to germline mutations in known high-risk susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. There is a substantial proportion of families with a positive family history for these cancers, in which no mutation in one of the known susceptibility genes can be identified. In Germany, since 2005 the cost of genetic counseling, genetic testing and intensified surveillance programs for families at risk is taken over by most of the national health insuran...     »