317P - Awareness of genomic testing among patients with breast cancer in Europe

Background

Genomic testing, involving expression profiling of tumour tissue removed from patients with breast cancer, is a powerful tool to help choose the most appropriate treatment for individual patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate awareness of genomic cancer testing in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), with a focus on women with breast cancer.

Methods

The survey was initiated by Cancer Patients Europe (CPE) as part of its my Cancer my Concern (myC) initiative and was developed with a panel of oncologists and patient association representatives. Participants were recruited by e-mail and through a social media campaign. They responded to a 42-question internet survey (Survey Monkey) which took ∼10 minutes to complete..

Results

Of 1,383 participants completing the survey, 566 women with HR+ and HER2- breast cancer who were eligible for genomic testing were analysed. 245 (43.3%) were aged 50-59 years and 381 (67.3%) had received higher education. 238 participants (42.1%) had heard about genomic testing; only 122 (21.6%) were told that they were eligible for it and 104 (18.4%) were told the reasons for the test. The majority (N = 479; 84.6%) considered that they did not have sufficient information to make a decision about genomic testing and only 139 (24.6%) actually decided to take a test. Overall, 234 (41.3%) would have liked to have received more information on treatment options, and 246 (43.5%) more information on additional testing. 464 participants (82.0%) sought more information on their disease. The principal sources of information on breast cancer management were healthcare professionals (N = 363; 64.1%), internet (N = 351; 62.0%), and patient associations (N = 117; 20.7%). For the majority (N = 398; 70.3%), the healthcare professional did not provide advice on where to find more information.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that awareness of and access to genomic testing for breast cancer in Europe is sub-optimal. Healthcare professionals need to improve communication with patients regarding genomic testing and involve them in shared decision-making. Patient associations should also act as a portal for providing information on genomic testing.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Cancer Patients Europe (CPE).

Funding

Exact Sciences.

Disclosure

L.D. Csaba: Other, Institutional, Other: UEFISCDI; Non-Financial Interests, Other: ECO, IPOS, APSCO. L. Guéroult-Accolas: Other, Other: Exact Science, Veracyte. M.P. Lux: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Exact Sciences , Agendia. A. Ramírez Piris: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Employee: Exact Sciences. R. Simcock: Financial Interests, Institutional, Other: Novartis, Seagen , Exact Sciences. R. D’Antona Fidanzia: Non-Financial Interests, Other, advocacy group: Exact Sciences, Agendia, Quimark. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.