Sharing BRCA1/2 test results with first-degree relatives: factors predicting who women tell.
OBJECTIVE
Patient communication with relatives about cancer genetic test results is the primary means for alerting those who may benefit from identification of hereditary risk. This study identifies factors predicting patterns of disclosure of BRCA1/2 test results to first-degree relatives (FDRs) among women tested in a clinical protocol.


METHODS
A total of 273 women completed a family communication measure 4 months after BRCA1/2 result disclosure. chi2 analyses and logistic regression models identified factors predicting sharing of the test result.


RESULTS
Most FDRs were informed of the participant's test result by 4 months; female relatives were more likely to be informed than males. Tested women conveyed inconclusive results (variant or negative without known familial mutation) less frequently to their sisters than conclusive (positive/true negative) results (P = .03). Twenty-three percent of participants did not inform their father. Informing brothers was more likely when BRCA1/2 was inherited through paternal lineage (P = .04), but 29% of brothers were not informed. Women older than age 40 were less likely to share their result with their parents (P = .03) than were women < or = 40. Children's ages influenced communication to offspring; most children were told.


CONCLUSIONS
Demographic, health-, and test-related factors predicted genetic test result communication to FDRs. Additional research investigating the full spectrum of discussion within families and motives for incomplete sharing of genetic test results with relatives may suggest strategies for providers and targeted educational interventions for patients to enhance family communication.
Patenaude
Andrea Farkas
AF
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA. andrea_patenaude@dfci.harvard.edu
Dorval
Michel
M
DiGianni
Lisa S
LS
Schneider
Katherine A
KA
Chittenden
Anu
A
Garber
Judy E
JE
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D030881:Disclosure; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests