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Background
With the onset of precision oncology, findings from germline mutational analysis have been helpful in treating patients with cancer and aids in cancer prevention, early detection, and improved overall outcomes. Germline genetic testing is now part of the standard of care for certain types of patients with prostate cancer. There is a very limited body of work that investigated demographic, disease- related and social factors that may be influencing Veterans’ participation in germline genetic testing. This study helps to identify whether certain factors may be influencing decisions on participation in prostate germline testing among Veterans with prostate malignancy.
Methods
The study was conducted using retrospective chart review. Data was collected from the periods of August 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 among Veterans with prostate cancer who met criteria for germline genetic testing. Demographic and clinical information were collected including age, race, extent of disease (high risk, very high-risk or metastatic disease), significant co-morbidities, educational level, family and personal history of cancer, travel time, germline genetic test findings, impact on treatment approaches, referral for genetic counseling, and whether Veterans agreed or declined germline genetic testing. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 180 charts were reviewed, with 171 meeting the criteria for inclusion. The mean age of the participants is 73, with the youngest being 55 and the oldest being 101 years old. Majority of the participants were African American (77%).
Results
Only about two percent of those who met the inclusion criteria declined to undergo testing with the one living the farthest away from the testing hospital residing 18 miles away. Those who declined testing ranged in age from 67 to 88, majority had high risk prostate cancer and no family history of malignancy, and had 0-1 serious co-morbidity. None of their educational informational was available for review.
Conclusions
Participation in germline genetic testing can be enhanced with adequate patient education and availability of accessible resources, even among patient populations that are not always well-represented in clinical research. The presence of multiple serious co-morbidities and distance from a testing facility do not seem to contribute to hesitancy in germline genetic testing participation.
Background
With the onset of precision oncology, findings from germline mutational analysis have been helpful in treating patients with cancer and aids in cancer prevention, early detection, and improved overall outcomes. Germline genetic testing is now part of the standard of care for certain types of patients with prostate cancer. There is a very limited body of work that investigated demographic, disease- related and social factors that may be influencing Veterans’ participation in germline genetic testing. This study helps to identify whether certain factors may be influencing decisions on participation in prostate germline testing among Veterans with prostate malignancy.
Methods
The study was conducted using retrospective chart review. Data was collected from the periods of August 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 among Veterans with prostate cancer who met criteria for germline genetic testing. Demographic and clinical information were collected including age, race, extent of disease (high risk, very high-risk or metastatic disease), significant co-morbidities, educational level, family and personal history of cancer, travel time, germline genetic test findings, impact on treatment approaches, referral for genetic counseling, and whether Veterans agreed or declined germline genetic testing. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 180 charts were reviewed, with 171 meeting the criteria for inclusion. The mean age of the participants is 73, with the youngest being 55 and the oldest being 101 years old. Majority of the participants were African American (77%).
Results
Only about two percent of those who met the inclusion criteria declined to undergo testing with the one living the farthest away from the testing hospital residing 18 miles away. Those who declined testing ranged in age from 67 to 88, majority had high risk prostate cancer and no family history of malignancy, and had 0-1 serious co-morbidity. None of their educational informational was available for review.
Conclusions
Participation in germline genetic testing can be enhanced with adequate patient education and availability of accessible resources, even among patient populations that are not always well-represented in clinical research. The presence of multiple serious co-morbidities and distance from a testing facility do not seem to contribute to hesitancy in germline genetic testing participation.
Background
With the onset of precision oncology, findings from germline mutational analysis have been helpful in treating patients with cancer and aids in cancer prevention, early detection, and improved overall outcomes. Germline genetic testing is now part of the standard of care for certain types of patients with prostate cancer. There is a very limited body of work that investigated demographic, disease- related and social factors that may be influencing Veterans’ participation in germline genetic testing. This study helps to identify whether certain factors may be influencing decisions on participation in prostate germline testing among Veterans with prostate malignancy.
Methods
The study was conducted using retrospective chart review. Data was collected from the periods of August 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 among Veterans with prostate cancer who met criteria for germline genetic testing. Demographic and clinical information were collected including age, race, extent of disease (high risk, very high-risk or metastatic disease), significant co-morbidities, educational level, family and personal history of cancer, travel time, germline genetic test findings, impact on treatment approaches, referral for genetic counseling, and whether Veterans agreed or declined germline genetic testing. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 180 charts were reviewed, with 171 meeting the criteria for inclusion. The mean age of the participants is 73, with the youngest being 55 and the oldest being 101 years old. Majority of the participants were African American (77%).
Results
Only about two percent of those who met the inclusion criteria declined to undergo testing with the one living the farthest away from the testing hospital residing 18 miles away. Those who declined testing ranged in age from 67 to 88, majority had high risk prostate cancer and no family history of malignancy, and had 0-1 serious co-morbidity. None of their educational informational was available for review.
Conclusions
Participation in germline genetic testing can be enhanced with adequate patient education and availability of accessible resources, even among patient populations that are not always well-represented in clinical research. The presence of multiple serious co-morbidities and distance from a testing facility do not seem to contribute to hesitancy in germline genetic testing participation.
