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Martin SC, Scott AM, Stone AM. Examining the communication work of women who have tested BRCA-positive: "I feel this responsibility to let people know". J Genet Couns 2024. [PMID: 38623721 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Inheriting a pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene considerably increases a woman's risk levels for developing breast and ovarian cancer. In addition to serious physical health implications, women with a BRCA pathogenic variant may face psychosocial challenges, including those related to navigating the often demanding process of communicating about topics regarding BRCA with family and other social network members. Based on in-depth interviews with 24 women who tested BRCA-positive, we found that-consistent with the conceptualization of communication work articulated by Donovan-Kicken et al. (2012) as an extension of the theory of illness trajectories (Corbin & Strauss, 1988)-the labor of communicating about BRCA genetic risk entails (a) duties, (b) challenges, (c) strategies, and (d) shared work. Within each category, our results illuminate particular characteristics of communication work for women who have tested BRCA-positive, which are commonly tied to the profound health consequences that a pathogenic variant may have for them and, potentially, for their genetic relatives. Our findings offer useful theoretical implications regarding communication work in this context. Furthermore, our results yield valuable practical insight for genetic counselors and other health care professionals regarding the struggles that can accompany communication work for women who have tested BRCA-positive as well as the strategies that participants reported using to manage or avoid these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Summer C Martin
- Department of Human Communication Studies, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Allison M Scott
- Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Anne M Stone
- Department of Communication, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, USA
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Gauna F, Carof S, Mouret-Fourme E, Coupier I, Mari V, Moretta-Serra J, Mancini J, Noguès C, Bouhnik AD. Links between gender norms and the intergenerational transmission of health information in parents carrying BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants. J Genet Couns 2024; 33:370-381. [PMID: 37282361 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1734] [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] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how gender norms affect parents' communication of genetic and cancer risk information to their children can enable healthcare professionals to better facilitate cascade genetic testing. We conducted a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews to determine social factors associated with parents carrying the BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants who communicated cancer prevention practices to their children. Thirty adult carriers (23 women, 7 men) participated in the interviews. All had at least one child aged over 8 years old. Interview topics included their discovery of the variants, their relationship to their body and to the risk of cancer, as well as disclosure to and subsequent communication with their children after testing positive for BRCA1/2. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively, and the major themes identified were identified and compared. We described the roles played by the BRCA1/2 carriers and their partners in communicating cancer prevention practices to their children, from how they managed their own risk of cancer after testing positive, to how they disclosed the risks linked to these pathogenic variants to their children. We also described their involvement in the process of their children going for professional genetic consultation. Gender norms lead women to be more attentive than men to their own health and that of their loved ones. In the context of the transmission of genetic information to children, gender differences in behavior are reinforced by perceptions of the risks of BRCA1/2 variants and women's related health management practices. Cancer prevention is shaped by complex links between gender norms and health management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gauna
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - S Carof
- Sorbonne Université, GEMASS (CNRS, Sorbonne Université), Paris, France
| | | | - I Coupier
- Gastroenterology and Genetic Department, Montpellier Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - V Mari
- Unité d'Oncogénétique, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - J Moretta-Serra
- Institut Paoli Calmette, Departement d'Anticipation et de Suivi du Cancer, Pôle Clinique Consultations d'Oncologie Genétique, Marseille, France
| | - J Mancini
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
- AP-HM, BIOSTIC, Hop Timone, Marseille, France
| | - C Noguès
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
- Institut Paoli Calmette, Departement d'Anticipation et de Suivi du Cancer, Pôle Clinique Consultations d'Oncologie Genétique, Marseille, France
| | - A D Bouhnik
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
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Ahsan MD, Levi SR, Webster EM, Bergeron H, Lin J, Narayan P, Nelson BB, Li X, Fowlkes RK, Brewer JT, Thomas C, Christos PJ, Chapman-Davis E, Cantillo E, Holcomb K, Sharaf RN, Frey MK. Do people with hereditary cancer syndromes inform their at-risk relatives? A systematic review and meta-analysis. PEC INNOVATION 2023; 2:100138. [PMID: 37214514 PMCID: PMC10194207 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate rates of familial disclosure of hereditary cancer syndrome information. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO no.: CRD42020134276). Key electronic databases were searched to identify studies evaluating hereditary cancer syndrome cascade relative disclosure. Eligible studies were subjected to meta-analysis. Results Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Among 11,711 included relatives, 70% (95% CI 60 - 78%) were informed of their risk of carrying a cancer-associated pathogenic variant; of 2,875 relatives informed of their risk who were evaluated for uptake of cascade testing, 43% (95% CI 27 - 61%) completed testing. Rates of disclosure were higher among female vs male relatives (79% [95% CI 73% - 84%] vs 67% [95% CI 57% - 75%]) and first-degree vs second-degree relatives (83% [95% CI 77% - 88%] vs 58% [95% CI 45 - 69%]). Conclusion Nearly one-third of at-risk relatives remain uninformed of their risk of carrying a cancer-associated pathogenic variant. Even among those informed, fewer than half subsequently complete genetic testing, representing a critical missed opportunity for precision cancer prevention. Innovation Five studies evaluating interventions to improve disclosure rates were generally ineffective. Urgent work is needed to elucidate barriers to relative disclosure by probands to develop targeted interventions that can optimize proband-mediated cascade genetic testing rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Danyal Ahsan
- Corresponding author at: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, United States of America
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Frey MK, Ahsan MD, Bergeron H, Lin J, Li X, Fowlkes RK, Narayan P, Nitecki R, Rauh-Hain JA, Moss HA, Baltich Nelson B, Thomas C, Christos PJ, Hamilton JG, Chapman-Davis E, Cantillo E, Holcomb K, Kurian AW, Lipkin S, Offit K, Sharaf RN. Cascade Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Should We Move Toward Direct Relative Contact? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:4129-4143. [PMID: 35960887 PMCID: PMC9746789 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence-based guidelines recommend cascade genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes, providing relatives the opportunity for early detection and prevention of cancer. The current standard is for patients to contact and encourage relatives (patient-mediated contact) to undergo counseling and testing. Direct relative contact by the medical team or testing laboratory has shown promise but is complicated by privacy laws and lack of infrastructure. We sought to compare outcomes associated with patient-mediated and direct relative contact for hereditary cancer cascade genetic counseling and testing in the first meta-analysis on this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO No.: CRD42020134276). We searched key electronic databases to identify studies evaluating hereditary cancer cascade testing. Eligible trials were subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS Eighty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Among relatives included in the meta-analysis, 48% (95% CI, 38 to 58) underwent cascade genetic counseling and 41% (95% CI, 34 to 48) cascade genetic testing. Compared with the patient-mediated approach, direct relative contact resulted in significantly higher uptake of genetic counseling for all relatives (63% [95% CI, 49 to 75] v 35% [95% CI, 24 to 48]) and genetic testing for first-degree relatives (62% [95% CI, 49 to 73] v 40% [95% CI, 32 to 48]). Methods of direct contact included telephone calls, letters, and e-mails; respective rates of genetic testing completion were 61% (95% CI, 51 to 70), 48% (95% CI, 37 to 59), and 48% (95% CI, 45 to 50). CONCLUSION Most relatives at risk for hereditary cancer do not undergo cascade genetic counseling and testing, forgoing potentially life-saving medical interventions. Compared with patient-mediated contact, direct relative contact increased rates of cascade genetic counseling and testing, arguing for a shift in the care delivery paradigm, to be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jenny Lin
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Xuan Li
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kenneth Offit
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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