Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: What do BRCA mutation carriers think?

Abstract

1526 Background: The use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select against BRCA mutated embryos for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), introduces complex choices for patients with pathogenic BRCA mutations. We sought to describe the uptake of and attitudes toward this technology in this patient population. Methods: We conducted a prospective survey study at a single institution in New York City affiliated with both a Cancer Center and Fertility Center, to assess attitudes and utilization of PGD. Cancer Center staff distributed surveys to patients with known BRCA mutations between April and August 2018. Survey participation was voluntary and anonymous. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and two-tailed t tests. Results: 80 survey responses were collected. A majority of the patient population identified as Caucasian (87.5%, 70) and Jewish (52.5%, 42). The survey was distributed to all age groups; however 81% (65) were between 26 and 45 years of age. 63.8% (51) had heard of PGD prior to completing the survey, while 36.3% (29) had not. Only 40% of respondents (32) felt sufficiently educated regarding PGD. 35% (28) patients met with an REI, of whom 6.3% (5) utilized IVF with PGD, and 21.3% (17) plan to use IVF with PGD in the future. 11.3% (9) wish they had known about this technology prior to starting a family, 20% (16) would not have used PGD had they known about it prior to childbearing. Reasons respondents were unlikely to pursue PGD included: cost (38.8%, 31), completed childbearing (25%, 20), medical risk (18.8%, 15), and ethical concerns (16.2%, 13). Patients gave cost estimates for PGD ranging from $500 - $120,000. There was no statistically significant correlation between likelihood of pursuing PGD and parity (p = 0.45), religion (p = 0.78), education level (p = 0.13), number of family members affected by BRCA mutations (p = 0.20) or by cancer (p = 0.11). Conclusions: Overall, a small number of patients with pathogenic BRCA mutations utilize PGD. A minority of survey respondents felt adequately educated about PGD. Reported barriers to uptake were varied, and there was a wide range of cost estimates reported. Our results suggest that increased patient education regarding PGD in BRCA mutation carriers is warranted.