Genetic testing experiences and emotional reactions among individuals with variant of uncertain significance results from cancer multiplex genetic testing.

Authors

null

Jada G. Hamilton

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Jada G. Hamilton , Jamie Brower , Dana Clark , Jessica E Ebrahimzadeh , Sarah R. Kane , Pauleen Sanchez , Temima Wildman , Margaret Merrill , Fergus Couch , Judy Ellen Garber , Kenneth Offit , Mark E. Robson , Susan M. Domchek

Organizations

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Basser Center for BRCA, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Cancer Genetics and Prevention, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Research Funding

Other Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Basser Center for BRCA, NIH/NCI grant CA008748, MRSG-16-020-01-CPPB from the American Cancer Society (to J.G.H.)

Background: Multiplex genetic testing (MGT) simultaneously analyzes multiple cancer susceptibility genes and can reveal genetic variants of uncertain significance (VUS) that have unclear associations with cancer risks. Little is known about how people are prepared for receiving VUS results from MGT, or whether their emotional reactions differ based on the levels of cancer risk to which they may be susceptible. Methods: We recruited participants from the online Prospective Registry of Multiplex Testing (PROMPT). Those with only a VUS in a cancer predisposition gene completed a survey including measures of their MGT experience, distress (range 0-30; α = .87), uncertainty (0-45; α = .83), and positive experiences (0-20; α = .75). We used generalized linear modeling to examine how demographics, awareness of the possibility of VUS before testing, and level of cancer risks associated with their VUS gene were related to emotional outcomes. Results: Data were available from 661 individuals (40% response rate, 95% female, 90% white, 78% college graduate, 69% cancer history, age 23-93) with VUS in a gene of high risk (47%), moderate/low risk (35%) or limited evidence of risk (18%). Among the sample, 80.8% reported ever receiving cancer genetic counseling, and only 50.8% reported being aware of the possibility of VUS when deciding about testing. Participants reported low current distress (M±SD= 3.25±5.19), uncertainty (9.18±8.35) and positive experiences (7.83±5.98). Distress was associated with younger age, less family cancer history, and being unaware of the possibility of VUS before testing; distress was also higher among those with VUS in a gene of high risk than those with VUS in a gene of moderate/low risk or limited evidence of risk (ps≤.023). Uncertainty was associated with younger age, non-white race, less education, and being unaware of the possibility of VUS; uncertainty was also higher among those with VUS in a gene of high risk than those with VUS in a gene with limited evidence of risk (ps≤.05). Fewer positive experiences were associated with more education and more family cancer history; those with VUS in a gene of high risk had fewer positive experiences than those with VUS in a gene with limited evidence of risk (ps≤.03). Conclusions: Many individuals undergoing MGT may not fully understand the prospect of receiving VUS. Clinicians should consider patients’ background, preparation, and level of cancer risk to which they are potentially susceptible, as these factors may affect their emotional adaptation.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Cancer Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Genetics

Track

Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Genetics

Sub Track

Germline Genetic Testing

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr e13680)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.e13680

Abstract #

e13680

Abstract Disclosures

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