Links between gender norms and the intergenerational transmission of health information in parents carrying BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants

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.

Abstract P6-08-10: Impact of age at diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer on overall survival in the real-life "ESME" cohort

Background

Young age is a known poor prognosis factor in early stage breast cancer (BC). Its value is less documented for metastatic BC (MBC). Guidelines state that age should not guide the treatment strategy. We used the ESME database to evaluate the impact of age at MBC diagnosis on overall survival (OS).

Patients and Methods

ESME is a unique national cohort, collecting retrospective data using clinical trial-like methodology. It included all consecutive MBC patients (pts) who initiated at least 1 treatment in one of the 18 participating French cancer centers between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2014. The database was locked on 12/8/2016. Primary objective were the comparisons of MBC characteristics between age groups (<40, 40 to 60 and >60 years (y)) and the evaluation of the impact of age at MBC diagnosis on OS.

Interaction between age and tumor subtype was tested using a Cox regression model.

ResultsAmong 16 703 included pts, 1539 had no information on tumor receptors (ER/PR/HER2) and 682 had an exclusion criteria (unknown age, men or other cancer in the last 5y), leaving 14 482 for analysis. At the onset of MBC, 902 pts (6.2%), 6269 (43.3%) and 7311 (50.5%) were <40y, 40y to 60y and older than 60y respectively. Median follow-up was 54.8 months.

Pts <40 had significantly more aggressive presentations than other age groups: more HER2+ (26.5%), and triple negative (26.4%) subtypes, more visceral involvement (57.1%), and shorter time to metastasis (26.9% between 6 to 24 months) (all p-value vs other age groups <0.0001).

MBC characteristics according to age groups Age at MBC diagnosis (years)p-value <4040-60>60 Tumor subtype   <0.0001HR+/HER2-425 (47.12)3816 (60.87)5262 (71.97) HR-/HER2-238 (26.39)1126 (17.96)884 (12.09) HER2+239 (26.5)1327 (21.17)1165 (15.93) Type of metastasis, N(%)   <0.0001Bone only219 (24.31)1832 (29.23)2367 (32.41) Non visceral168 (18.65)1046 (16.69)1314 (17.99) Visceral514 (57.05)3389 (54.08)3623 (49.6) Time to first metastasis (months), N(%)   <0.0001< 6304 (33.74)1882 (30.1)2107 (28.9) [6-12[65 (7.21)241 (3.85)209 (2.9) [12-24[177 (19.64)760 (12.15)564 (7.7) ≥24355 (39.4)3370 (53.89)4416 (60.53) Number of metastatic sites, N(%)   0.51 site709(78.6)4948 (78.93)5805 (79.4) 2 sites163(18.07)1130 (18.03)1313(17.96) ≥3 sites30(3.33)191 (3.05)193 (2.64) 

Overall, median OS was identical in the different age groups: 39.1, 41.1 and 39.8 months for pts <40, 40-60 and >60, respectively (p=0.2).

Tumor subtype and age showed a significant interaction on OS (p<0.0001), especially among HER2+ MBC

Overall survival (months) according to tumor subtypes and age groups Age groups (years)p-value (log-rank)Tumor subtype<4040-60>60 HR+/HER2-46,4 (CI 95% 40.5-55.4)47,8 (CI 95% 46-50)44,2 (CI 95% 42.1-46.3)0.0023HER2+60,7 (CI 95% 45.6-76.4)50,4 (CI 95% 46.3-56.3)44 (CI 95% 38.8-48.9)<0.0001Triple negative14 (CI 95% 11.5-16.5)14,7 (CI 95% 13.7-15.9)15,7 (CI 95% 14.6-17.1)0.01

. Anti-HER2 with first-line treatment was given preferentially to young pts: 86.6, 81.9 and 74.9%for pts <40, 40-60 and >60, respectively (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

At onset of MBC, young age was associated with more aggressive presentations, however with no global impact on OS. Pts <40 with HER2+ disease carried a better prognosis, maybe related to therapy.

Citation Format: Frank S, Tchokothe C, Carton M, Mouret-Fourme E, Dubot C, Campone M, Pistilli B, Dalenc F, Mailliez A, Levy C, D'Hondt V, Debled M, Leheurteur M, Coudert B, Perrin C, Gonçalves A, Uwer L, Ferrero J-M, Eymard J-C, Petit T, Mouret-Reynier M-A, Guesmia T, Bachelot T, Robain M, Cottu P. Impact of age at diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer on overall survival in the real-life "ESME" cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-10.

Medullary Breast Carcinoma: Prognostic Implications of P53 Expression

Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare pathological type of breast cancer. The rate of p53 protein accumulation is higher in MBC than in common invasive ductal carcinoma. Whether this particular feature of MBC influences the outcome after treatment is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics, treatment and outcome of 71 patients with MBC treated between 1981 and 1996. The median age was 51 years (range 27–81) and the median clinical tumor size was 25 mm (range 0-70 mm). Breast-conserving treatment was offered when possible: 55 patients had undergone a tumorectomy and radiotherapy while 16 patients had undergone a mastectomy. p53 protein accumulation was determined by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 58/71 samples available for this study. The median follow-up for the 56 survivors was 113 months (range 30–241). The 10-year survival and metastasis-free survival rates were 81% and 81.4%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 16.4%. The two factors predicting outcome were pathological axillary node involvement in the 60 patients who underwent axillary dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. p53 accumulation was found in 33/58 patients (57%). p53 status was not predictive of survival nor of distant or local recurrences. We confirm that medullary breast carcinoma has a favorable prognosis despite its aggressive pathological features. p53 protein accumulation, found in the majority of MBCs, was not related to outcome.

Abstract P3-06-19: Large-scale retrospective analysis between 1980-2008 in 20 838 women with breast cancer - Results in young women (< 40 years old)

Background: The risk for developing breast cancer before the age of 40 is less than 1% and is similar worldwide. Breast cancer in young women is different from that of older women in terms of clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis. We reviewed the evolution of breast cancer in young women aged < 40 years between 1980 and 2008 in the large database of the René Huguenin Hospital in France.

Patients and Methods: Women diagnosed with a first breast cancer were prospectively included in the institution database. The analysis population included all women treated and followed between 1980 and 2008 for new breast cancer. The data were grouped into three periods: 1980-1990 (systematic pre-screening), 1991-2003 (first pilot screening experiences) and 2004-2008 (generalized systematic screening) and per age group comparing women <40 years and women ≥40 years.

Results: From 1980-2008, there were 20838 new breast cancers diagnosed, including 1431 (6.9%) in women <40 years. The mean age at diagnosis in women <40 years remained stable throughout the entire period at 35.2 years (min-max 19-39 years). Women <40 years, compared to women ≥40 years, had a larger mean clinical tumor size at diagnosis (33.1 mm vs. 26.8 mm; p<0.0001); lower proportion of stage I tumors (28.6% vs 43.9%; p<0.0001); lower proportion of in situ cancers (7.6% vs 10.1%; p = 0.0034); more ductal invasive cancers (87% vs 78%; p<0.0001); more histological grade 3 tumors (41% vs 25%; p<0.0001); more HER2 overexpression (25.6% vs 10.5%; p<0.0001), less hormone receptor-positive phenotype (68.7% vs 80.3%; p<0.0001) and more triple negative phenotype (8.4% vs 5.3; p<0.0001). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was more frequent in young women (21.2% vs 7.9%; p<0.0001), as was adjuvant chemotherapy (47.4% vs 27.3%; p<0.0001). The survival rates in women <40 years were lower than in older women. Over the study period, among women < 40 years analyzed for survival, 26.3% died from breast cancer and 2.4% died from another cause; in women ≥ 40 years, 14% died from breast cancer and 10.3% died from another cause. The overall survival rate, between 1980-1990, in patients <40 years was 89.1% and 81.4% at 3-years and 5 years, respectively; while between 2004-2008, the overall survival rate was 96.6% and 91.4% at 3 and 5 years, respectively.

Conclusion: Results of the retrospective analysis of a very large cohort of women less than 40 years diagnosed with breast cancer show that woman <40 years had a less favorable prognosis than older women. However, despite of not being included in screening programs, there was a substantial improvement in the prognosis for women <40 years over the study period between 1980 and 2008, probably due to improved treatments.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-06-19.

Medullary breast carcinoma: prognostic implications of p53 expression

Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare pathological type of breast cancer. The rate of p53 protein accumulation is higher in MBC than in common invasive ductal carcinoma. Whether this particular feature of MBC influences the outcome after treatment is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics, treatment and outcome of 71 patients with MBC treated between 1981 and 1996. The median age was 51 years (range 27-81) and the median clinical tumor size was 25 mm (range 0-70 mm). Breast-conserving treatment was offered when possible: 55 patients had undergone a tumorectomy and radiotherapy while 16 patients had undergone a mastectomy. p53 protein accumulation was determined by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 58/71 samples available for this study. The median follow-up for the 56 survivors was 113 months (range 30-241). The 10-year survival and metastasis-free survival rates were 81% and 81.4%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 16.4%. The two factors predicting outcome were pathological axillary node involvement in the 60 patients who underwent axillary dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. p53 accumulation was found in 33/58 patients (57%). p53 status was not predictive of survival nor of distant or local recurrences. We confirm that medullary breast carcinoma has a favorable prognosis despite its aggressive pathological features. p53 protein accumulation, found in the majority of MBCs, was not related to outcome.

[Chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cancers of the uterine neck. Retrospective study of 92 patients treated at the Institute Curie between 1986 and 1998]]

PURPOSE

The prognosis of locally advanced cervix cancers is poor with metastatic and local recurrence risks. Recent publications reported that concurrent chemotherapy and pelvic radiation increased local control compared to radiotherapy alone. Chemotherapy could also decrease metastatic recurrences. We report 92 cases of patients with locally advanced cervix cancer treated between 1986 and 1998 at the Institut Curie.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Concurrent chemoradiation was exclusive in 51 cases and added to surgery in 41 cases. Chemotherapy with 5FU-Cisplatin-Mitomycin C-Vindesin (protocol A) was performed for 43% of patients and 57% of them received 5FU-Cisplatin alone (protocol B).

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 64 months (6-149 months). Five-year disease-free survival rate was 47% and local control rate was 70%. Disease-free survival was correlated with therapeutic response. After exclusive chemoradiation, the good responsive patients had a better DFS (54% vs 26%, p = 0.018). In the surgery group, those patients with sterilized lymph nodes and tumours had also a higher DFS (76% vs 47%, p = 0.036). Toxicity was higher with protocol A.

CONCLUSION

From our study, it appears that local control of advanced cervix cancers is better with combined chemoradiotherapy but disease-free survival stays low according to the metastatic evolution. Metastasis without local recurrence remained frequent in our study. 5FU-CDDP chemotherapy has a lower toxicity and is as effective as 5FU-CDDP-Mitomycin C-Vindesin protocol, in association with radiotherapy.

Metachronous contralateral breast cancer as first event of relapse

PURPOSE

To determine which clinical, biological, or treatment-related factors of the first and second primary breast cancers influenced the outcome following contralateral breast carcinoma (CBC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

By August 1994, 319 of 6406 patients with clinical Stage 0 to III breast carcinoma treated between 1981 and 1987 at Institut Curie had developed a second breast cancer that was diagnosed more than 6 months following ipsilateral breast cancer. Of these 319 patients, 235 had a CBC as the first recurrent event and constitute the study population. Comparisons of first and second breast tumor characteristics were done using Fisher's exact test. Survival distributions from the date of CBC were compared by the log-rank test. Prognostic factors for local relapses, distant relapses, and survival after CBC were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of CBC was more frequently guided by mammographies than for ipsilateral tumors (p < 0.0001). The proportion of early stage tumors < or = T1 was significantly higher in the opposite breast as compared to the the first primary tumor (p < 0.0001). A greater rate of noninvasive tumors was observed in CBCs (p = 0.0003). Median follow-up time from the diagnosis of CBC was 54 months (1-137). Five-year survival following CBC was 79% (+/- 6). Five-year local (CBC breast or chest wall) and distant failure rates were 15 and 24%, respectively. Time interval to the occurrence of CBC (< 2 years, 2-5 years, > 5 years) had no influence on survival. Cox model analysis showed that the risk factors for distant metastases were stage and progesterone receptor levels of the contralateral tumor. The risk of distant failure in CBC was not influenced by the extent of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this selected population of CBCs as first recurrent events, a follow-up policy based on clinical examination and annual mammography enabled the detection of CBCs at an earlier stage than the primary ipsilateral cancer. The outcome after CBC was determined only by the characteristics of the contralateral tumor. Breast-conserving treatment should be recommended when it is feasible. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be delivered according to the same criteria as the primary tumor.

Sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior of bisexual men in France: implications for HIV prevention. The French National Survey on Sexual Behavior Group

The French National Survey on Sexual Behavior was used to identify sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior of bisexually active men, as distinct from both homosexually and heterosexually active men. In regard to number of partners and frequency of unprotected vaginal sex, bisexuals were similar to multipartnered heterosexuals. On sociodemographic criteria, they differed from both homosexuals and heterosexuals. Bisexual men reported fewer partners than homosexuals but seemed more likely to engage in risk behavior related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and they were less likely to have ever had a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test. These results justify prevention efforts specially adapted for bisexuals.

[Prognostic factors in endometrial cancer: apropos of 206 cases treated at the Curie Institute]

From January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1990 two hundred and six patients with an invasive, non metastatic endometrial carcinoma were first treated at Institut Curie. Initial tumoral staging (TNM) was as follows: stage Ia: 48%, stage Ib: 31%, stage II: 15% and stage III-IV: 6%. Total hysterectomy or colpohysterectomy was performed in 186 cases, with a bilateral oophorectomy in 180 cases. Bilateral limited pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 116 cases. Brachytherapy was performed in the pre-operative setting in 25 cases, in the post-operative setting in 134 cases. Only five patients had brachytherapy alone, because of poor medical condition. External irradiation was exclusive in 15 cases and added to surgery for 68 patients. Median follow-up is 61 months (8-122 months). Five-year survival rate is 77% (71-83%); 5-year specific survival rate is 81% (75-87%). Independent prognostic factors for survival in multivariate analysis (Cox regression model) are tumoral stage (p < 0.0001), ovarian involvement (p < 0.0001), histologic node involvement (p = 0.005) and grade (p = 0.01). For local relapse, independent risk factors in the same analysis are ovarian involvement (p = 0.0004), tumoral stage (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.02) and histologic involvement of cervix (p = 0.04). For distant failure, independent risk factors are histologic node involvement (p = 0.0001), tumoral stage (p = 0.002) and grade (p = 0.003).