Abstract A34: Short-term evaluation of telephone-based genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer among African American women: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Genetic counseling (GC) services for inherited breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) are underutilized by African American (AA) women. One barrier may be availability of in-person GC services. Telephone-based counseling may be one way to increase access to GC services. However, little is known about AA women's reactions to and satisfaction with phone-based GC services. We sought to evaluate experiences associated with phone-based GC for HBOC among AA women diagnosed with early-onset breast cancer. Methods: Through a cancer registry-based study, phone-based GC for HBOC was provided to AA women diagnosed with breast cancer at or before age 50. A brief baseline survey to evaluate the experience with the GC and testing process was administered when women were being scheduled to receive results of BRCA testing. After phone-based results disclosure with a genetic counselor, a follow-up phone survey was administered to assess results disclosure experiences. Results: To date, baseline and follow-up surveys have been completed by 33 (72%) of 46 women who completed pre-test GC. Findings from the baseline questionnaire (n=36) showed that the majority of women were glad to have pursued testing (95%), felt that they had taken charge of their healthcare (90%), and were pleased with the telephone GC provided through the study (71 %). Almost 40% of participants indicated that the GC and testing process increased their feelings of control and empowerment. Among the follow-up survey participants (n=33), the majority indicated very positive experiences with various aspects of phone-based results disclosure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that telephone-based GC and testing for HBOC in a registry-based sample of AA women was perceived favorably by participants. Thus, telephone-based GC may be one approach to reduce barriers in access to GC and testing services in the AA community. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A34.