1
|
Kamaraju S, Conroy M, Harris A, Georgen M, Min H, Powell M, Kurzrock R. Challenges to genetic testing for germline mutations associated with breast cancer among African Americans. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 124:102695. [PMID: 38325071 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Inequities in preventive cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and inferior cancer outcomes continue to pose challenges across the cancer continuum. While the exact reasons for these inferior outcomes are unknown, multiple barriers to various domains of social determinants of health (SDOH) play a vital role, leading to inequities in cancer care. These include barriers to transportation, housing, and food insecurities, contributing to delays in preventive screening and treatment. Furthermore, aggressive biologies also exist across various racial profiles with accompanying germline mutations. For example, African Americans (AAs) have a higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancer subtype and a high prevalence of BRCA1/2 gene mutations, increasing the risk of multiple cancers, warranting high-risk screening for these populations. Unfortunately, other barriers, such as financial insecurities, low health literacy rates, and lack of awareness, lead to delays in cancer screening and genetic testing, even with available high-risk screening and risk reduction procedures. In addition, physicians receive minimal interdisciplinary training to address genetic assessment, interpretation of the results, and almost no additional training in addressing the unique needs of racial minorities, leading to suboptimal delivery of genetic assessment provision resources among AAs. In this review, we discuss the confluence of factors and barriers limiting genetic testing among AAs and highlight the prevalence of germline mutations associated with increased risk of breast cancer among AAs, reflecting the need for multi-panel germline testing as well as education regarding hereditary cancer risks in underserved minorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kamaraju
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
| | - M Conroy
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - A Harris
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - M Georgen
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - H Min
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - M Powell
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - R Kurzrock
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gómez-Trillos S, Graves KD, Fiallos K, Schwartz MD, Peshkin BN, Hamilton H, Sheppard VB, Vadaparampil ST, Campos C, Cupertino AP, Alzamora MC, Lynce F, Hurtado-de-Mendoza A. Cultural adaptations to a telephone genetic counseling protocol and booklet for Latina breast cancer survivors at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Transl Behav Med 2023; 13:297-308. [PMID: 36694918 PMCID: PMC10182423 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibac106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Telephone genetic counseling (TGC) is accepted as standard clinical care for people seeking hereditary cancer risk assessment. TGC has been shown to be non-inferior to in-person genetic counseling, but trials have been conducted with a predominantly highly educated, non-Hispanic White population. This article describes the process of culturally adapting a TGC protocol and visual aid booklet for Spanish-preferring Latina breast cancer survivors at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. The adaptation process included two phases. Phase 1 involved a review of the literature and recommendations from an expert team including community partners. Phase 2 included interviews and a pilot with the target population (n = 14) to collect feedback about the adapted protocol and booklet following steps from the Learner Verification and Revision Framework. We describe the adaptation process and report the main adaptations following the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Interventions (FRAME). Adaptations in Phase 1 were responsive to the target population needs and characteristics (e.g., delivered in Spanish at an appropriate health literacy level, addressing knowledge gaps, targeting cultural values). Phase 2 interviews were crucial to refine details (e.g., selecting words) and to add components to address GCT barriers (e.g., saliva sample video). Cultural adaptations to evidence-based TGC protocols can increase the fit and quality of care for historically underserved populations. As TGC visits become routine in clinical care, it is crucial to consider the needs of diverse communities to adequately promote equity and justice in cancer care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gómez-Trillos
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
- Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Cancer Genomics, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Kristi D Graves
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
- Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Cancer Genomics, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Katie Fiallos
- Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marc D Schwartz
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
- Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Cancer Genomics, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Beth N Peshkin
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
- Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Cancer Genomics, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Heidi Hamilton
- Department of Linguistics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vanessa B Sheppard
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA
| | - Susan T Vadaparampil
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Ana Paula Cupertino
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Maria C Alzamora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Alejandra Hurtado-de-Mendoza
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
- Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Cancer Genomics, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|