Don't tell patients estrogens are "bad"

"WHAT IS THE GYNECOLOGIST'S ROLE IN THE CARE OF BRCA PREVIVORS?"
ROBERT L. BARBIERI, MD (EDITORIAL, SEPTEMBER 2013)

Young women with a BRCA mutation need not pass it to their offspring

One consideration that wasn't mentioned in Dr. Barbieri's editorial is the possibility that a woman with a BRCA mutation will pass it to her offspring. Any patient with such a mutation who has not yet completed childbearing should be advised that, with in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, we now have the capabiity to break this familial curse.

Mark Perloe, MD
Atlanta, Georgia

DR. BARBIERI RESPONDS

I agree with Dr. Perloe. I neglected to mention that, for women who are BRCA carriers who are planning a pregnancy, consultation with a fertility specialist to explore the use of assisted reproductive technology and preimplantation genetic testing is an important aspect of their health care.

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