ASPO Abstracts
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Genetic Testing in the US: Analysis of National Survey Data
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the Study: Genetic testing can help determine the risk of many cancers and guide cancer prevention and treatment plans. We examined public knowledge and cancer genetic testing by race and ethnicity. Methods: We included 3,551 participants from the 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey. Self-reported cancer genetic testing (e.g., Lynch Syndrome, BRCA1/2) knowledge and utilization were compared by race and ethnicity. Perceived importance of genetic information for cancer care (prevention, detection, and treatment) was also examined in relation to the uptake of cancer genetic testing. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine factors associated with knowledge and genetic testing to calculate predicted probability across levels of perceived importance by race and ethnicity. Results: Overall, 37.8% US adults reported having heard of genetic testing for cancer risk and 3.9% stated that they underwent cancer genetic testing. Being non- Hispanic Black (OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.30-0.75) or Hispanic (OR=0.56, CI=0.35-0.90) was associated with lower odds of genetic testing knowledge. Being female (OR=2.39, 95% CI, 1.29-4.44) or having a family cancer history (OR=2.72, 95% CI, 1.12-6.65) were associated with increased odds of receiving the genetic testing. Overall, more than half of respondents perceived genetic information as "very important
Keywords: Genetic Testing; Genetic Information; Public Knowledge; Racial and Ethnic Disparities; Cancer Prevention