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Factors Associated with Interest in Gene‐Panel Testing and Risk Communication Preferences in Women from BRCA1/2 Negative Families
Author(s) -
Flores Kristina G.,
Steffen Laurie E.,
McLouth Christopher J.,
Vicuña Belinda E.,
Gammon Amanda,
Kohlmann Wendy,
Vigil Lucretia,
Dayao Zoneddy R.,
Royce Melanie E.,
Kinney Anita Y.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-016-0001-7
Subject(s) - genetic testing , genetic counseling , worry , medicine , odds ratio , breast cancer , population , family medicine , cancer , genetics , environmental health , psychiatry , biology , anxiety
Scientific advances have allowed the development of multiplex gene‐panels to assess many genes simultaneously in women who have tested negative for BRCA1/2 . We examined correlates of interest in testing for genes that confer modest and moderate breast cancer risk and risk communication preferences for women from BRCA negative families. Female first‐degree relatives of breast cancer patients who tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations ( N = 149) completed a survey assessing multiplex genetic testing interest and risk communication preferences. Interest in testing was high (70 %) and even higher if results could guide risk‐reducing behavior changes such as taking medications (79 %). Participants preferred to receive genomic risk communications from a variety of sources including: primary care physicians (83 %), genetic counselors (78 %), printed materials (71 %) and the web (60 %). Factors that were independently associated with testing interest were: perceived lifetime risk of developing cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 1.67: 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.65) and high cancer worry (OR = 3.12: CI 1.28–7.60). Findings suggest that women from BRCA1/2 negative families are a unique population and may be primed for behavior change. Findings also provide guidance for clinicians who can help develop genomic risk communications, promote informed decision making and customize behavioral interventions.