Developing New Educational Materials About Genetic Testing for a Diverse Group of Cancer Patients

Overview

Genetic testing is a type of test that detects changes to the genes-the DNA instructions that are passed on from the mother and father. The results of a genetic test can confirm whether the participant has a genetic disorder, which is a disease caused in whole or in part by changes to the genes. Genetic testing can also help determine a person's chance of getting or passing on a genetic disorder. Genetic tests use a sample of blood, hair, skin, or other tissue, and they can look at one gene or multiple genes at the same time. Genetic testing may change the options for treating people with certain types of cancer. For example, some medications are more helpful for the treatment of cancer in people with certain gene changes (mutations). The researchers are doing this study to develop new educational materials about genetic testing for people who speak different languages and have diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. During the study, the staff will interview participants with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and ask them to review a sample of the educational materials that have been developed so far. Participants will give their opinions on these materials, and the researchers will use participants' feedback to improve the materials.

The objective of this proposal is to develop, test and evaluate a mainstreaming (LCAM) model for hereditary cancer multigene panel testing (MGPT) among many different types of cancer patients. The central hypothesis is that this LCAM genetic testing model will lead to better patient decision-making, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes than a traditional model of genetic services represented by our standard-of-care arm. In Phase 1, the researchers will first conduct formative research including transcreation and cognitive interviewing to adapt our existing educational materials (brochure and video) and clinical communication materials (clinic visit summary and family dissemination messaging) for the LCAM model to be useful for patients of many different backgrounds. In Phase 2, the researchers will conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to test and evaluate effects of the LCAM model for hereditary cancer MGPT as compared to standard-of-care among the patients treated at local community hospitals. Patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer will be offered hereditary cancer MGPT through either: i) standard-of-care wherein in-depth pre-test and post-test genetic counseling are provided via telegenetics (videoconferencing), or ii) LCAM intervention wherein patients receive adapted pretest educational materials from study staff and/or clinical staff and have testing ordered by their oncologist, followed by post-test genetic counseling via telegenetics with a health and genetic "literacy screener" and adapted clinical communication materials. Participants will be followed prospectively and will complete assessments consisting of validated and investigator-designed measures. Phase 2 primary outcomes include genetic test decision satisfaction and genetic counseling satisfaction. Secondary outcomes include additional decision-making, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes. For Phase 2, participants will be recruited from our partnering sites, which include Kings County Hospital Center, Queens Cancer Center, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and the MSK Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care. Study staff will identify eligible patients from review of clinic lists and patient medical records, and will also receive direct study referrals from clinicians located at the partnering sites. Study staff will approach eligible patients in order to describe the study, screen them for eligibility (including assessing language proficiency via self-report and prior experience with cancer genetic counseling/testing), and obtain informed consent and collect their contact information.