The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate a decision support website (RealRisks) designed to inform patients about breast cancer chemoprevention. It is coupled with a physician-centered (BNAV) decision support website as part of clinical workflow in the primary care setting. The investigator hypothesizes that improving accuracy of breast cancer risk perception and understanding of the risks/benefits of chemoprevention will enhance informed decision-making and uptake of breast cancer prevention strategies in the primary care setting.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in the U.S. and the primary prevention of this disease is a major public health issue. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and other professional organizations recommend that clinicians discuss chemoprevention with high-risk women. Breast cancer chemoprevention with anti-estrogens, such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, exemestane, and anastrozole, is under-utilized, despite several randomized controlled trials demonstrating a 40-65% decrease in breast cancer incidence among high-risk women. Compounding this underutilization is the fact that a large proportion of women may be unaware of their high-risk status due to the investigators inability to adequately screen them in the primary care setting. Further research is needed to determine how knowledge about breast cancer, actual/perceived risk, and risks/benefits of chemoprevention are best communicated to women in order to promote breast cancer prevention strategies. This study assesses risk communication and shared decision-making in patient-clinician dyads by administering validated measures at baseline, after interacting with the tools prior to the clinic visit, and after the clinical visit (quantitative analysis); and by using observer-based methods of audio-tape recordings of their clinical encounters (qualitative analysis). The investigator hypothesizes that combining a patient-centered decision aid with a physician-centered decision support tool integrated into clinic workflow will improve accuracy of breast cancer risk perception, facilitate referrals for specialized risk counseling, and increase chemoprevention uptake.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
RealRisks is a web-based patient decision aid with modules that present information about risk assessment and chemoprevention.
Breast Cancer Risk Navigation (BNAV) tool is a web-based decision support tool with modules that present pertinent information for primary care providers regarding breast cancer risk assessment and preventative measures for their patients.
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Change in the accuracy of risk perception (Likert Scale Score)
To measure the patient's accuracy of perceived breast cancer risk before and after exposure to the RealRisks decision aid. Perception will be assessed by comparing the difference between a patient's perceived risk and their actual risk based on the Gail breast cancer model. Patients are asked to make a comparative risk assessment about themselves on a 3-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks
Change in a patient's breast cancer knowledge (Survey Score)
To assess patient's breast cancer knowledge before and after exposure to the RealRisks decision aid by comparing the difference between a patient's responses to a 13-item scale assessing knowledge with response options of true, false, or unsure.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks
Chemoprevention uptake rate among high-risk women
To determine the uptake rate in the breast clinic after offering specialized risk counseling to a broader population of racially/ethnically diverse women screened in the primary care setting. Electronic health records will be used to track chemoprevention uptake after exposure to the RealRisks decision aid.
Time frame: 6 months
Referral rates to the breast clinic
To study appropriate referral rate by primary care providers of high-risk patients to the breast clinic.
Time frame: 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.