Abstract 3679: A qualitative analysis of coping with genetically exacerbated risk of breast and ovarian cancers among medically-underserved women with BRCA1/2 mutations

Abstract

Abstract Individuals testing positive for BRCA1/2 genetic mutations, or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer mutations, are 33-55% more likely than women without these mutations to develop breast and/or ovarian cancers before the age of 70. While research involving these genetic mutations continues to emerge, there remains unanswered questions regarding prophylactic experiences and subsequent impacts on mental health within subgroups of BRCA1/2-positive women. The purpose of this analysis was to explore the impact of BRCA1/2 mutations, prophylactic surgeries, and surveillance regimens within the scope of everyday life within a sample of BRCA1/2 positive women from medically-underserved backgrounds living in the United States (US). A sample of 211 US adult women who have tested positive for BRCA1/2 mutations within the past 5 years and who identify with one or more medically-underserved populations (racial, ethnic, or sexual minority, person with a physical disability, chronically-ill, those in poverty, immigrant populations) elucidated compelling qualitative data. A total of 169 (80.1%) women completed open-ended questions at the end of the online survey. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify themes and subthemes concerning mental health, sources of stress, and methods of stress relief. The focus of the current analysis is on the sources of stress identified by the respondents. Fourteen subthemes were identified. The four most common stressors were concerns about post-treatment recovery (19% of respondents), recurrence of a new cancer (15%), medical unknown of having a genetic mutation that increases the risk of cancer (14%), and having to schedule and plan for continual surveillance (12%). The next five subthemes ranged from 7-9% and include waiting for medical results, personal finances and covering medical expenses, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-operative anxiety, and worrying about insurance coverage. Our findings support previous research on cancer stressors for women while adding important qualitative elements for a richer understanding. Furthermore, since much of the research on the lived experiences of BRCA1/2 has been on highly-educated, non-Hispanic white women, few studies have focused entirely on medically-underserved populations, which was the entirety of our sample. This work adds an important intersectional lens in which to better understand the experiences of living with a BRCA1/2 mutation. Citation Format: Kristi Tredway, Kate E. Dibble, Avonne E. Connor. A qualitative analysis of coping with genetically exacerbated risk of breast and ovarian cancers among medically-underserved women with BRCA1/2 mutations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3679.