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Review
Public Health Genomics 2014;17:190–208
DOI: 10.1159/000362358
Medical Genetic Counseling for Breast Cancer in
Primary Care: A Synthesis of Major Determinants
of Physicians’ Practices in Primary Care Settings
Jalila Jbilou
a, b
Norrin Halilem
c
Jolyane Blouin-Bougie
c
Nabil Amara
c
Réjean Landry
c
Jacques Simard
d
a
Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick,
b
School of Psychology, Université de Moncton,
Moncton, N.B., and
c
Department of Management and
d
Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular
Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Qué., Canada
BC in primary care medical practices and routines. However,
our results shed light on 2 levels of actions that could im-
prove genetic counseling services in primary care: (1) medi-
cal training and educational efforts emphasizing family his-
tory collection (individual level), and (2) clarification of roles
and responsibilities in ordering and referral practices in ge-
netic counseling and genetic testing for better healthcare
management (organizational level). © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Introduction
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer
among women (23% of all cancers) and the leading cause
of cancer mortality among women worldwide [1]. A
woman in the developed world has a lifetime risk of de-
veloping breast cancer of approximately 9–11% [2]. The
estimated global economic burden of new breast cancer
cases in 2009 was USD 28 billion, representing associated
medical costs as the largest fraction (46%), followed by
productivity losses (27%), and non-medical service costs
(27%) [3]. Genetic research identified pathogenic muta-
tions in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 5–10% of hereditary
Key Words
Breast cancer · Genetic risk communication · Genetic risk
prediction · Medical behavior · Medical genetic counseling ·
Primary care · Scoping review
Abstract
Objectives: This paper aims to identify relevant potential
predictors of medical genetic counseling for breast cancer
(MGC-BC) in primary care and to develop a comprehensive
questionnaire to study MGC-BC. Methods: A scoping review
was conducted to identify the predictors of MGC-BC among
primary care physicians. Relevant articles were identified in
selected databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ISI Web of
Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL) and 4 selected
relevant electronic journals. Results: An inductive analysis of
the 193 quantitatively tested variables, conducted by 3 re-
searchers, showed that 6 conceptual categories of determi-
nants, namely (1) demographic, (2) organizational, (3) expe-
riential, (4) professional, (5) psychological, and (6) cognitive,
influence MGC-BC practices. Conclusion: There is a scarcity
of literature addressing the medical behavior determinants
of MGC-BC. Future research is needed to identify effective
strategies put into action to support the integration of MGC-
Received: November 11, 2013
Accepted after revision: March 20, 2014
Published online: July 3, 2014
Nabil Amara
Université Laval
2325, Rue de la Terrasse
Québec, QC G1V 0A6 (Canada)
E-Mail nabil.amara @ mng.ulaval.ca
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
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