• Eloise Chapman-Davis, Zhen Ni Zhou, Jessica C Fields, Melissa K Frey, Bailey Jordan, Katherine J Sapra, Sudeshna Chatterjee-Paer, Ann D Carlson, and Kevin M Holcomb.
• Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA. elc9120@med.cornell.edu.
• J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Jan 1; 36 (1): 354235-42.

BackgroundPrior studies suggest that referral to genetic counseling and completion of genetic testing vary by race/ethnicity; however, the data are limited.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate patterns of genetic testing and clinical outcomes across race/ethnicity at a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer center.DesignThe medical records for all patients undergoing genetic assessment at a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer center were reviewed and stratified by self-reported race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Asian).ParticipantsA total of 1666 patients met inclusion criteria (non-Hispanic Whites, 1367; Hispanics, 85, non-Hispanic Blacks, 101; Asians, 113).Main MeasuresDemographics, patient characteristics, and referral patterns for patients who underwent genetic testing were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact tests, stratifying by self-reported race/ethnicity. Pathogenic mutations and variants of unknown significance (VUS) were reviewed. Outcomes of patients with genetic mutations and personal history of breast and/or gynecologic malignancies were compared.Key ResultsNon-Hispanic Whites were more likely to be referred due to family cancer history compared to all other ethnicities while Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians were more likely to be referred due to personal history of cancer (p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to have advanced-stage cancer at the time of genetic testing (p < 0.02). Rates of mutations did not differ by race/ethnicity when Ashkenazi Jewish patients were excluded (p = 0.08). Among patients found to have a BRCA1/2 mutation, Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to undergo cancer screening and risk-reducing surgery compared with all other ethnicities (p = 0.04).ConclusionsMinority patients were more likely to utilize genetic services following a cancer diagnosis and less likely due to family cancer history, suggesting a missed opportunity for mutation detection and cancer prevention in this population. Efforts to eradicate racial/ethnic disparities in early access to genetic testing and guided cancer prevention strategies are essential.

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