The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57336

Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD, Andrea Barsevick, RN, DNSc, Andre Rogatko, PhD, Susan Montgomery, RN, BSN, Ruth Bingler, BS, and John Malick, BA. Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Increasingly individuals at risk for breast/ovarian cancer are pursuing genetic testing. These probands become responsible for sharing test results within their family, often without a genetic background or preparation for this role. This study evaluated the impact of a Six-Step communication intervention on probands’ ability to effectively share their BRCA1/2 results. Women with a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer received cancer risk education and counseling prior to receipt of genetic test results and were randomized to either a Communication intervention or Wellness control. Four months following test results, family members were contacted to assess their understanding of the results. Data are available for 86 probands and 137 relatives. Intervention probands were more likely to share results with their family than control probands (83%vs.77%). Control probands were significantly more likely to change their minds and not share test results (p=0.03). Control probands felt more upset than intervention probands in explaining genetic inheritance (77%vs.66%) and were less likely to try to explain the meaning of test result to relatives (95% vs. 100%) or to share those results in person (46%vs.56%). Very few relatives (34% intervention vs. 26% control) correctly reported the test results. 10% of probands tested positive, yet 71% of control and 58% of intervention relatives estimated their cancer risk at >50%. Only 31% control and 42% intervention relatives intend to pursue genetic counseling. The Six-Step intervention appears to improve the proband’s willingness to share genetic test results but relatives in both groups have difficulty correctly interpreting them.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe a communication strategy to help individuals share genetic test results with family members.
• Evaluate the results of a research study testing the effectiveness of a structured communication strategy in helping individuals share genetic test results.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.