Latinas’ knowledge of and experiences with genetic cancer risk assessment: Barriers and facilitators

• Published in: Journal of genetic counseling Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 505 - 517
• Main Authors: Gómez‐Trillos, Sara, Sheppard, Vanessa B., Graves, Kristi D., Song, Minna, Anderson, Lyndsay, Ostrove, Nancy, Lopez, Katherine, Campos, Claudia, Gonzalez, Nathaly, Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza, Alejandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2020
• Subjects: Adult; attitudes; Barriers; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Cancer; Case-Control Studies; Cultural factors; disparities; disparity; experiences; facilitators; Female; Genes, BRCA1; Genes, BRCA2; genetic counseling; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic screening; Genetic Testing; HBOC; Health care; Hispanic; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Humans; Intervention; Interviews; Knowledge; Latin American cultural groups; Latina; Medical diagnosis; Medical referrals; Middle Aged; Motivation; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - genetics; perceptions; Psychosocial factors; Qualitative research; Risk Assessment; Risk factors; Risk perception; Risk reduction; underrepresented populations; Uptake; Women; Latina; disparities; underrepresented populations; attitudes; experiences; HBOC; genetic counseling; barriers; facilitators; perceptions; disparity; genetic testing; Hispanic; knowledge
• ISSN: 1059-7700; 1573-3599
• DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1201

Disparities in genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) uptake persist between Latinas and Non‐Hispanic Whites. This study utilized a mental model approach to interview 20 Latinas (10 affected, 10 unaffected) at increased risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Participants were asked about their knowledge and perceptions of GCRA, HBOC, risk, benefits, motivators, barriers, challenges, and experiences with GCRA. Using the Consensual Qualitative Analysis Framework, two authors independently coded the interviews and applied the final codes upon consensus. Additionally, interviews were coded to identify whether participants spontaneously brought up certain topics without a prompt. Findings identified multiple barriers and facilitators to GCRA uptake in this population, including patient level psychosocial/cultural factors (e.g., limited knowledge, worry about relatives’ risk) and healthcare system factors (e.g., receiving no referrals). There were notable differences in awareness and knowledge between affected and unaffected women (e.g., genetic testing awareness), as well as knowledge gaps that were evident in both groups (e.g., age of diagnosis as a risk factor). To reduce disparities in GCRA uptake, interventions should address identified facilitators and barriers. Differences in knowledge and awareness between affected and unaffected women support the development of targeted interventions that address specific knowledge gaps. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03075540) by Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza, Ph.D.