Misinterpretation of Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk and Its Association with Information Sharing Motives among Women at Low Likelihood of Carrying a BRCA1/2 Mutation

Abstract

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> In this brief report, we ask whether women’s interpretation of breast cancer risk based on their low likelihood of carrying a <i>BRCA1/2</i> mutation is associated with their information-sharing behavior, and whether misinterpretation is associated with motives for sharing the result. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Women in mammography clinics who completed a brief family history assessment and deemed to be at low likelihood of carrying a <i>BRCA1/2</i> mutation were asked to complete a 1-time online survey between June 2016 and January 2017. <b><i>Results:</i></b> One-third (44/148) of women shared their family history screen result with someone in their social network. Result information was shared largely with a first-degree female relative to express feelings of relief (77%, 33/43). There were no differences in likelihood of sharing based on breast cancer risk interpretation. However, women who misinterpreted the implications of the result for general breast cancer risk reported more motives to share the result with their social network than those who accurately interpreted their breast cancer risk. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> As family history-based screening for hereditary breast cancer is broadly implemented, the communication needs of the majority of women who will be unlikely of carrying a <i>BRCA1/2</i> mutation must be considered. The motives of women who misinterpreted the implications of this result for breast cancer risk suggest the possibility that miscommunication could be spread to the broader family network.