We are excited to share the latest version of the NCCN Genetic/Familial Breast, Ovarian and Pancreatic Guidelines (V1.2020), which were just updated. Some of the changes made include:
- PALB2 was added as a high penetrance gene (similar to BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, PTEN and TP53)
- It is appropriate to consider risk reducing mastectomy for cancer risk management (as well as high risk screening through mammograms and MRIs).
- The age at which screening for prostate cancer among men with a BRCA2 mutation was lowered from 45 to 40.
- Pancreatic cancer screening:
- Individuals with STK11 (which leads to Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome) or CDKN2A mutations has been added
- ONLY a consideration in patients with a mutation in BRCA1/2, ATM, MLH1, MSH2, EPCAM, PALB2, and TP53 IF there is a close family member (first or second degree relative on the same side of the family) with pancreatic cancer
- The guidelines also outline situations in which there is a very low chance of finding a mutation (i.e., pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant).
To see the full version of the guidelines, go to nccn.org, where they will ask you to create a username and password (which anyone can do), after which you will be able to view whichever guidelines you want. Check it out at https://www.nccn.org/about/news/newsinfo.aspx?NewsID=1790!