A randomized controlled intervention to promote readiness to genetic counseling for breast cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer (BC) survivors with a genetic mutation are at higher risk for subsequent cancer; knowing genetic risk status could help survivors make decisions about follow-up screening. Uptake of genetic counseling and testing (GC/GT) to determine BRCA status is low among high risk BC survivors. This study assessed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a newly developed psychoeducational intervention (PEI) for GC/GT.

METHODS

High risk BC survivors (N = 119) completed a baseline questionnaire and were randomized to the intervention (PEI video/booklet) or control (factsheet) group. Follow-up questionnaires were completed 2 weeks after baseline (T2), and 4 months after T2 (T3). We analyzed recruitment, retention (feasibility), whether the participant viewed study materials (acceptability), intent to get GC/GT (efficacy), and psychosocial outcomes (eg, perceived risk, Impact of Events Scale [IES]). t tests or chi-square tests identified differences between intervention groups at baseline. Mixed models examined main effects of group, time, and group-by-time interactions.

RESULTS

Groups were similar on demographic characteristics (P ≥ .05). Of participants who completed the baseline questionnaire, 91% followed through to study completion and 92% viewed study materials. A higher percentage of participants in the intervention group moved toward GC/GT (28% vs 8%; P = .027). Mixed models demonstrated significant group-by-time interactions for perceived risk (P = .029), IES (P = .027), and IES avoidance subscale (P = .012).

CONCLUSIONS

The PEI was feasible, acceptable, and efficacious. Women in the intervention group reported greater intentions to pursue GC, greater perceived risk, and decreased avoidance. Future studies should seek to first identify system-level barriers and facilitators before aiming to address individual-level barriers.

Development of an integrated support system for hereditary cancer and its impact on gynecologic services

OBJECTIVE

Patients with hereditary cancer need an integrated support system. A recently launched project was evaluated in terms of its efficacy in screening patients with hereditary cancer at the gynecologic service.

METHODS

The project team comprised gynecologists, surgeons, medical geneticists, and certified genetic counselors (CGCs) in our hospital. At the gynecologic service, a newly developed self-administered family history questionnaire (SAFHQ) was given to patients with ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer as well as a history of multiple cancers. After an interview, a CGC constructed a pedigree and evaluated the risk for hereditary cancer. Patients at risk were recommended by a gynecologist to receive further genetic counseling at the Department of Genetics according to the modified Bethesda criteria, Amsterdam II criteria, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines 2012 for breast-ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC). The numbers of newly screened patients were compared before and after the project launch.

RESULTS

The SAFHQ was administered to 131 patients and 106 (81 %) pedigrees were constructed between August 2012 and July 2013. The number of newly screened patients according to the Bethesda criteria was 4 and 8 at 10 years before and 1 year after the project launch, respectively. Two and 31 patients met the NCCN criteria for HBOC excluding ovarian cancer alone, respectively, at these 2 time points. Of 54 patients who were recommended to undergo further counseling, 10 (19 %) visited the Department of Genetics.

CONCLUSION

After the launch of an integrated support system, the number of patients with hereditary cancers who were screened increased. The gynecologic service played a pivotal role in patient and family care.

Evaluation of a heredofamilial cancer unit in increasing family history collection and genetic counseling referrals among Spanish oncologists at a university hospital

A comprehensive family history is essential to identify patients at risk for hereditary cancer who could benefit from genetic counseling (GC). In a previous study, we observed a low occurrence of family history record (FHR) collection rate and GC referral among oncologists at our institution. The present work analyzes whether the implementation of a heredofamilial cancer unit (HFCU) would improve these parameters. We retrospectively compared the FHR rate in clinical records, National Cancer Institute (NCI) general criteria for hereditary cancer suspicion, GC referrals and FHR quality in two cohorts: cohort 1 (patients diagnosed before HFCU creation) and cohort 2 (after HFCU creation). Of 1,175 patients (590 cohort 1 and 585 cohort 2), FHRs were consigned in 27.3 % and 52.5 % of patients, respectively (p < 0.001). The GC referral of patients with any NCI criterion was 13.6 % xin cohort 1 vs. 40.5 % in cohort 2 (p < 0.001). FHR quality improved in terms of the total number of relatives (164 vs. 314, p = 0.1, N.S.) and number of healthy relatives consigned (80 vs. 191, p < 0.01). Nine mutations (6 BRCA, 1 MEN1, 2 Lynch), 4 unknown significance variants (all in BRCA) and 2 with no mutation were identified among patients referred from cohort 2. We conclude that the creation of a heredofamilial cancer unit has changed both FHR and GC referrals among oncologists at our institution, although continuous educational efforts are required.