Barbara Norquist, MD
University of Washington
2013 Skacel Family Scholar
Genes Contributing to Hereditary Ovarian Cancer in BRCA1/2 Wildtype Families
Nearly a quarter of ovarian cancer cases may be caused by inherited mutations, with a significant portion caused by mutations in genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2). Next generation sequencing techniques have made it possible to test for mutations in multiple genes simultaneously. However, little is known about the risks of carrying non-BRCA1/2 mutations, making it challenging to counsel healthy patients found to have mutations. Dr. Norquist plans to test for non-BRCA1/2 mutations in new and existing families with hereditary ovarian cancer in order to better define the risks of carrying these mutations and optimize strategies for prevention of cancer.
