Parent opinions regarding the genetic testing of minors for BRCA1/2.
OBJECTIVE
Although not currently recommended, genetic testing of minors for adult hereditary cancer syndromes, along with risks and benefits, is still being debated. Thus, we evaluated parent opinions regarding BRCA1/2 testing of minors, in general, and hypothetically, for parents' own minor child.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted to assess parent opinions regarding BRCA1/2 testing in minors, along with parent rationale for and factors associated with these opinions.


RESULTS
In total, 246 parents at two academic cancer risk assessment programs who underwent BRCA1/2 testing completed the interview (60% response rate). In response to a dichotomous question, 37% of parents supported testing minors. Responses to an open-ended query suggest that 47% support testing minors in some or all circumstances. Parent negative BRCA1/2 test result (P = .02), parent male sex (P = .03), and minority race (P = .01) were independently associated with support of testing minors. In response to a dichotomous question, 44% of parents reported hypothetical interest in testing their own minor offspring. Responses to an open-ended query suggest that 55% would consider, hypothetically, testing their child in some or all circumstances. Parent negative test result (P = .01), less than a college education (P < .01), and older mean offspring age (P = .05) were associated with interest in testing one's own child.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents' opinions regarding BRCA1/2 testing of minors are divided. Given the lack of evidence supporting either the permission or restriction of BRCA1/2 testing in minors, further evaluation of the risks and benefits of providing genetic risk information and genetic testing to minors for adult-onset disease is needed to inform clinical practice and guidelines.
Bradbury
Angela R
AR
University of Chicago,Chicago, IL, USA. Angela.Bradbury@fccc.edu
Patrick-Miller
Linda
L
Egleston
Brian
B
Sands
Colleen Burke
CB
Li
Tianyu
T
Schmidheiser
Helen
H
Feigon
Maia
M
Ibe
Comfort N
CN
Hlubocky
Fay J
FJ
Hope
Kisha
K
Jackson
Sarah
S
Corbman
Melanie
M
Olopade
Olufunmilayo I
OI
Daly
Mary
M
Daugherty
Christopher K
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033242:Minors; D009154:Mutation; D010290:Parents