Treatment decision making and psychosocial outcomes associated with rapid genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Abstract

1586Background: For women with BRCA-associated breast cancer (BC), treatment with bilateral mastectomy improves survival, but most women do not know their BRCA status at the time of BC diagnosis. Rapid genetic testing (RGT) allows a woman to have genetic test results prior to treatment decision making, but it is unclear if RGT has an impact on treatment choices. It is unclear if provision of genetic testing at time of breast cancer diagnosis has an impact on psychosocial functioning. The objective of the current study was to assess the impact of RGT at the time of BC diagnosis on surgical decision-making and psychosocial functioning. Methods: Eligible women were referred from participating surgeons at BC diagnosis. Women completed baseline questionnaires assessing treatment preferences, cancer related distress, anxiety, and depression. All participants received in-person pre-test genetic counselling. BRCA genetic test results were given within 10 days. Participants completed surveys at 1 week and 1 year p...