Interplay of Family Context and Ethnicity in BRCA1/2 Testing
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: Genetic evaluation and susceptibility testing for breast cancer risk has been available for a number of years. Although more and more women participate in genetic evaluation each year, participation rates among minority women remain low. The reasons why minority women do not participate are unclear. Many women who have participated in genetic evaluation and testing have found the experience to be very valuable in guiding their own and their families medical decisions. Minority women will not benefit similarly if they do not participate in these services. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The decision to pursue genetic evaluation and testing is complex and been found to be influenced by a variety of factors including awareness of the availability of services, perceived risk of developing breast cancer, and the perceived benefits and costs of testing. Although these factors may be important at an individual level, the decision to pursue or not to pursue genetic evaluation and testing may not be an individual decision but instead may involve a woman’s entire family. A family's communication style, structure, and the anticipated impact of testing on the family, that is, the family context in which a woman considers genetic evaluation and testing may represent an important influence on her decision whether or not to pursue or genetic evaluation and testing. In addition, it is plausible family context differs by ethnicity and that these differences in family context may help explain the low level of minority participation in genetic evaluation and testing. 
 
 
 
 Information collected in this study will help to answer the following questions: (1) What is family context? (2) Does family context influence interest in genetic evaluation and testing? (3) How strongly does family context affect interest in genetic evaluation and testing as compared to predictors investigated in previous studies? 4) Does the relationship between family context and interest in genetic evaluation and testing differ by ethnicity?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Therefore, the present project will study the notion of family context and how it influences decision-making regarding genetic evaluation and testing among sample of women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer from five ethnic groups including Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and two of the largest Asian subgroups in Los Angeles with the highest rates of breast cancer, Filipino and Japanese. During Phase 1, interviews will be conducted with 20 women (4 from each ethnic group) to gain a better understanding of the role of family context and how it relates to decision-making regarding genetic evaluation and testing for breast cancer risk. This information will be examined to determine the elements of family context most relevant to the decision-making process. An instrument to measure family context will then be developed based on the important elements of family context that emerged from Phase 1 interviews. During Phase 2, additional interviews will be conducted with 75 women (15 from each ethnic group) to administer the family context instrument and assess additional factors found to influence decision-making in previously conducted studies. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 This study will be the first to specifically examine family context in relation to genetic evaluation and testing for breast cancer risk among an ethnically diverse sample of women at increased risk for breast cancer. The data obtained from this study will help researchers design interventions aimed at educating minority women about genetic evaluation and testing for breast cancer risk and increasing minority participation in genetic evaluation programs. In addition, the proposed project will provide Dr. Glenn with experience in conducting breast cancer research that will be critical as she develops her own program of research focused on breast cancer prevention and control in underserved populations.