1687P - Perceptions of genetic testing and lived experiences in women with locally advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer: A focus on BRCAm and BRCAwt patients

Background

Research on BRCA mutation (BRCAm) carrier’s experiences before cancer is extensive, but less on the diagnosis experience of OC. Studies show psychological distress in individuals discovering their germline BRCA1/2 mutations (gBRCAm), but little is known about positive aspects of germline and somatic BRCA (sBRCAm) diagnosis and post-test result perceptions. The objective is to address this gap impacting pts outcomes and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive, observational, multicenter, and cross-sectional study, aimed to describe patients (pts), caregiver, and clinician experiences and perceptions in OC. It involved semi-structured remote interviews with 19 pts, 7 caregivers, and 10 clinicians from 5 Spanish hospitals. Only themes that reached empirical saturation were analyzed, following an inductive and deductive process. We focus on those related to genetic testing.

Results

Pts were categorized as: (i) gBRCAm and (ii) sBRCAm or BRCAwt. Their experiences and perceptions of testing were classified after participating in the study as follows: Lived experiences of pts with gBRCAm status were marked by worry (100%) and guilt (44%), with perspectives on family continuation diverging. However, most pts (89%) in this group were grateful for the prevention value of testing, especially about the potential to save family members through early screening (22%), checked by respecting relatives' choices (Pro-testing). Those against testing (11%) regretted knowing their results, feeling it conditioned life decisions (Against-testing). All sBRCAm and BRCAwt pts felt relieved for their children and close family members. However, 20% of BRCAwt pts worried about their own treatment efficacy. No patient was classified as against-testing, most pts (60%) were grateful (Pro-testing), and some (20%) doubted the usefulness of testing due to a family history of cancer despite testing yielding negative results (Skeptical). 20% of pts were unaware of genetic testing's existence (Unaware).

Conclusions

It is recommended that HCPs raise awareness of how pts’s experiences and perceptions of germline and somatic genetic testing impact their journey to enhance care delivery and QoL.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

The authors thank Carlota Solà and Raül Rubio of A Pice of Pie, Barcelona, Spain for providing medical writing and editorial support, which was funded by [AstraZeneca Spain S.L, Madrid, Spain in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines.

Legal entity responsible for the study

AstraZeneca Spain S.L.

Funding

AstraZeneca.

Disclosure

M.J. Rubio Pérez: Financial Interests, Personal, Coordinating PI: AstraZeneca. A.B. Sanchez: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Local PI: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: MSD, GSK; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca, GSK, MSD; Financial Interests, Personal, Other: GSK, MSD, Roche. C. Maximiano Alonso, Y. Garcia Garcia, M. Quindós: Financial Interests, Personal, Local PI: AstraZeneca. N. Alfaro: Non-Financial Interests, Institutional, Full or part-time Employment: AstraZeneca. R. Rubio Renau, C. Solà: Financial Interests, Personal, Research Funding: AstraZeneca. S. Bolea: Financial Interests, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca.