Dorothee Speiser1, Felix G Rebitschek2, Markus A Feufel3, Hannah Brand4, Laura Besch4, Friederike Kendel5. 1. Department of Gynecology with Breast Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: dorothee.speiser@charite.de. 2. Harding Center for Risk Literacy, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: rebitschek@mpib-berlin.mpg.de. 3. Harding Center for Risk Literacy, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Division of Ergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Marchstr. 23, 10587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: markus.feufel@tu-berlin.de. 4. Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. 5. Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: friederike.kendel@charite.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: BRCA1/2-mutation carriers are at high risk of developing cancer. Since they must weigh clinical recommendations and decide on risk-reducing measures, the correct understanding of their 10-year cancer risks is essential. This study focused on the accuracy of women's subjective estimates of developing breast and ovarian cancer within ten years as prerequisite to reduce unnecessary prevention. METHODS: 59 and 52 BRCA1/2-mutation carriers provided their individual risks of developing breast or ovarian cancer in the next 10 years, along with self-reported sociodemographic and psychosocial variables. Women's risk estimates were compared with their objective cancer risks that had been communicated before. RESULTS: 22.6% of counselees under- and 53.2% of the counselees overestimated their 10-year risk of developing breast cancer. As for ovarian cancer, 5.6% under- whereas 51.9% overestimated their risk. Neither demographic factors such as education, parenthood and age, nor a prior diagnosis of breast cancer or prophylactic surgery accounted for these variations in risk accuracy. CONCLUSION: Currently, risk communication during genetic counseling does not guarantee accurate risk estimation in BRCA-mutation carriers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Counselors must be prepared to prevent overestimation. Counselees' risk estimates need to be assessed and corrected to enable informed decision-making and reduce risks of unnecessary preventive efforts.
OBJECTIVE:BRCA1/2-mutation carriers are at high risk of developing cancer. Since they must weigh clinical recommendations and decide on risk-reducing measures, the correct understanding of their 10-year cancer risks is essential. This study focused on the accuracy of women's subjective estimates of developing breast and ovarian cancer within ten years as prerequisite to reduce unnecessary prevention. METHODS: 59 and 52 BRCA1/2-mutation carriers provided their individual risks of developing breast or ovarian cancer in the next 10 years, along with self-reported sociodemographic and psychosocial variables. Women's risk estimates were compared with their objective cancer risks that had been communicated before. RESULTS: 22.6% of counselees under- and 53.2% of the counselees overestimated their 10-year risk of developing breast cancer. As for ovarian cancer, 5.6% under- whereas 51.9% overestimated their risk. Neither demographic factors such as education, parenthood and age, nor a prior diagnosis of breast cancer or prophylactic surgery accounted for these variations in risk accuracy. CONCLUSION: Currently, risk communication during genetic counseling does not guarantee accurate risk estimation in BRCA-mutation carriers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Counselors must be prepared to prevent overestimation. Counselees' risk estimates need to be assessed and corrected to enable informed decision-making and reduce risks of unnecessary preventive efforts.
Authors: Georgia Vasileiou; Maria J Costa; Christopher Long; Iris R Wetzler; Juliane Hoyer; Cornelia Kraus; Bernt Popp; Julius Emons; Marius Wunderle; Evelyn Wenkel; Michael Uder; Matthias W Beckmann; Sebastian M Jud; Peter A Fasching; Alexander Cavallaro; André Reis; Matthias Hammon Journal: BMC Med Imaging Date: 2020-07-29 Impact factor: 1.930
Authors: Lidewij Henneman; Christi J van Asperen; Jan C Oosterwijk; Fred H Menko; Liesbeth Claassen; Daniëlle Rm Timmermans Journal: Patient Prefer Adherence Date: 2020-02-19 Impact factor: 2.711