PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gray, Jonathon
AU  - Brain, Kate
AU  - Norman, Paul
AU  - Anglim, Cathy
AU  - France, Liz
AU  - Barton, Garry
AU  - Branston, Lucy
AU  - Parsons, Evelyn
AU  - Clarke, Angus
AU  - Sampson, Julian
AU  - Roberts, Elizabeth
AU  - Newcombe, Robert
AU  - Cohen, David
AU  - Rogers, Cerilan
AU  - Mansel, Robert
AU  - Harper, Peter
TI  - A model protocol evaluating the introduction of genetic assessment for women with a family history of breast cancer
AID  - 10.1136/jmg.37.3.192
DP  - 2000 Mar 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Genetics
PG  - 192--196
VI  - 37
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/37/3/192.short
4100  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/37/3/192.full
SO  - J Med Genet2000 Mar 01; 37
AB  - Randomised controlled trials allow comparisons to be made between different models of service delivery, but have not been used in the field of clinical genetics. With the advent of clinical governance, the evidence provided by such trials will be increasingly important in informing and shaping clinical genetics practice. The TRACE project (Trial of genetic assessment in breast cancer) is a randomised controlled trial of genetic assessment for women who are at increased risk of breast cancer because of their family history. The absence of cancer genetics service provision in Wales before this study gave a window of opportunity in which this important trial could be conducted. The present paper describes how TRACE will provide crucial evidence regarding the psychosocial as well as resource implications of adding individualised genetic assessment, genetic counselling, and (where appropriate) gene testing to typical advice and surveillance from a hospital breast clinic. In addition, it is anticipated that TRACE will represent a model for future trials of service delivery in the increasing number of complex genetic disorders where evidence on the economic implications of screening and management is currently limited.