International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A new study has found that few women with family histories of breast or ovarian cancer are discussing genetic testing with their physicians.

This is despite a test for gene mutations known to increase the risk of hereditary cancer having been available for more than a decade, say US investigators from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Policy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The researchers say that women with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may be three to seven times more likely to develop breast cancer and nine to 30 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women with unaltered forms of the genes.

Dr Douglas Levy, of the MGH Institute for Health Policy, says testing for BRCA1 and 2 mutations has been around a long time and should be "a good indicator of whether genetic testing is making its way into regular medical practice".

He adds: "When a well-established genetic test is not being incorporated into clinical practice when appropriate, we are a long way from meeting the promise of personalised, genetically-tailored medical care."

Last week, research presented by pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk at the European Congress on Menopause in London indicated that most post-menopausal women are reluctant to seek medical help for vaginal dryness and pain.