Familial Cancer
Volume 15, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 163-171

Migrant breast cancer patients and their participation in genetic counseling: results from a registry-based study (Article) (Open Access)

Baars J.E. , van Dulmen A.M. , Velthuizen M.E. , Theunissen E.B.M. , Vrouenraets B.C. , Kimmings A.N. , van Dalen T. , van Ooijen B. , Witkamp A.J. , van der Aa M.A. , Ausems M.G.E.M.*
  • a Division of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, Netherlands
  • b NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), Utrecht, Netherlands, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Drammen, Norway
  • c Division of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, Netherlands
  • d Division of Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
  • e Division of Surgery, St. Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Division of Surgery, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • g Division of Surgery, Diakonessen Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • h Division of Surgery, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, Netherlands
  • i Division of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • j Comprehensive Cancer Centre the Netherlands (IKNL), Utrecht, Netherlands
  • k Division of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, Netherlands

Abstract

Certain ethnic groups seem to have less access to cancer genetic counseling. Our study was to investigate the participation in cancer genetic counseling among migrant breast cancer patients of Turkish and Moroccan origin. Hospital medical records of Turkish and Moroccan and of a comparative group of non-Turkish/Moroccan newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were studied. All women were diagnosed between 2007 and 2012. Eligibility for genetic counseling was assessed with a checklist. A total of 156 Turkish/Moroccan patients were identified, and 321 patients were assigned to the comparative group. About one third (35 %) of the Turkish/Moroccan patients fulfilled criteria for breast cancer genetic counseling, compared to 21 % of the comparative group (P = 0.001); this was largely due to a relatively young age at diagnosis in the migrant group (26 % <40 years vs 5 % in the comparative group, P = 0.0001). Uptake of genetic counseling among eligible patients was 47 % in the migrant group and 56 % in the comparative group; differences in uptake were seen among the patients diagnosed before 40 years of age (48 % in the migrant group vs 81 % in the comparative group; P = 0.021). When adjusted for age at diagnosis, ethnicity was associated with discussing referral to genetic counseling and its actual uptake. The Turkish/Moroccan ethnicity appears to be associated with a lower uptake of genetic counseling, mainly caused by the lower uptake in the young age-group. The major barrier to participation in genetic counseling seems to lie within the referral process. © 2016, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Genetic testing cancer Turkish Breast Oncology Moroccan

Index Keywords

genetics Netherlands breast cancer Registries register human middle aged statistics and numerical data priority journal pathology cancer staging ethnology groups by age first degree relative Humans Breast Neoplasms migrant Genetic Testing genetic screening female patient referral Socioeconomic Factors Referral and Consultation socioeconomics Article major clinical study adult migration patient participation genetic counseling ethnicity Transients and Migrants Moroccan Turkish citizen
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84962491775&doi=10.1007%2fs10689-016-9871-y&partnerID=40&md5=fc8c7409cb0c72ef1d50a7d53bd630c5
DOI: 10.1007/s10689-016-9871-y
ISSN: 13899600
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English