Four years analysis of cancer genetic clinics activity in France from 1994to 1997: A survey on 801 patients

AIM: In order to evaluate the characteristics and the evolution of cancer g enetics activity in France, a survey was conducted at the national level du ring a period of 4 years from 1994 to 1997 through the French Cooperative N etwork, a multidisciplinary group formed to investigate inherited tumors. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to all the 29 French non-specialized cance r genetic clinics to evaluate activity during a period of 4 consecutive wee ks each year from 1994 to 1997. Items concerning the cancer genetic clinics , the consultees and the types of consultation were explored. RESULTS: A total number of 801 consultees were seen during the period of an alysis. Some prominent characteristics of patients attending cancer genetic clinics were found. The majority of these are women (88%), and the mean ag e of consultees is 48 years. Fifty five percent of consultees are affected with cancer, and breast (personal and/or family history) is the most freque nt site involved (63%). A genetic predisposition is certain or likely in ab out 53% of cases and unlikely in only 13% of consultations. The majority of consultations are devoted to new families (71%). The mean duration of cons ultations is 50 minutes, but 40% have a duration of at least 1 hour. Variat ions of several parameters during the 4 years period were observed and anal yzed; Finally, since duration of consultations (more or equal to 1 hour) an d personal or family history of breast/ovarian cancer appeared as pivotal e lements in our study and consequently may affect the organization of clinic s and the structuring as well as the evolution of cancer genetic activity i n France, we analyzed more precisely the factors significantly associated w ith these 2 elements. CONCLUSION: Study compliance was fair (60% of centers) and these results gi ve a good measure of cancer genetic activity in France. The variation of pa rameters from one year to another may reflect modifications in medical prac tice (medical orientation rather than research focus and content of cancer genetic clinics) and/or scientific breakthroughs in cancer genetics such as identification of genes predisposing to cancer.