Genetic testing in survivorship after diagnosis of breast cancer.

Authors

Steven Katz

Steven Katz

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Steven Katz, Sarah T. Hawley, Rachel Hodan, Allison W. Kurian, Lauren P. Wallner

Organizations

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

Research Funding

Other Foundation
American Cancer Society

Background: Support for universal genetic testing after diagnosis of breast cancer is growing because of concerns that more narrowly targeted guidelines fail to identify all patients who could benefit from genetic risk evaluation (GRE). Little is known about use of genetic testing in survivors of breast cancer over time. Methods: Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014-15 and reported to the SEER registries of Georgia and Southern California completed a baseline survey about 9 months after diagnosis (N=2502) through the iCanCare study. We performed a follow-up survey (FUPs) about 6 years after diagnosis for 2347 survivors of whom 1430 responded (60% response rate). We asked women about their receipt of clinical germline genetic testing and results, communication with relatives about cancer genetic testing, and use of direct-to-consumer testing (DTCt) after diagnosis. We categorized women into indications (yes/no) for GRE based on clinical guidelines published at time of diagnosis (GRE indication baseline) and at the time of the follow-up survey (GRE indication FUPs only). Results: About half of the respondents (44.6%) had indications for GRE over the study period; 28.0% had an indication at baseline; and an additional 16.6% had an indication by time of the follow-up survey (FUPs only). The Table shows patient-reported testing at FUPs by GRE indication category (baseline, FUPs only, no indication). About two thirds of those with a baseline indication for GRE received genetic testing over the study period: 66.5% vs 43.9% with indication at FUPs only vs 35.0% of those with no indication (p<.001). There were no significant race and ethnic differences in receipt of testing across clinical indications (p=.356). Testers with a pathogenic variant result (n=59) were much more likely to have talked to most or all of their close adult relatives about genetic testing than those with a variant of unknown significance (n=48), or a negative finding (n=384): 64.3% vs 35.0% and 37.1%, respectively (p<.001). Overall, there was very little interest in DTCt for cancer risk: 5.0% researched these tests online somewhat to a lot; and only 3.5% got a DTCt. Conclusions: The proportion of patients with indications for GRE after diagnosis of breast cancer markedly increases in survivorship but many patients do not get genetic testing. Lack of survivor interest in DTCt for cancer risk is reassuring that patients are not substituting these tests for clinical testing. These findings support the growing appeal for universal germline genetic testing for patients with breast cancer.

Patient-reported receipt of clinical germline genetic testing by GRE indication.

GRE Indication Category
Receipt of genetic test (reported on follow-up)At baseline
n=391
On FUPs only
n=207
No indication
n=805
All patients (N=1403)
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
65.6
67.4
57.8
67.1
74.0
43.0
43.1
47.5
41.7
36.8
34.7
36.0
35.1
31.7
30.4

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B

Track

Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Palliative and Supportive Care

Sub Track

Access to Timely Detection and Referral

Citation

JCO Oncol Pract 19, 2023 (suppl 11; abstr 129)

DOI

10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.129

Abstract #

129

Poster Bd #

C6

Abstract Disclosures

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