FH-Risk 2.0: Updating Breast Cancer Risk Estimates

Overview

In the UK women with a strong family history of breast cancer are eligible for breast cancer risk estimation via Family History Risk and Prevention Clinics (FHRPCs). Here breast cancer risk is calculated using popular risk prediction models like the Tyrer-Cuzick, CanRisk or Gail models. These models combine breast cancer risk factors to calculate a risk estimate for women. Risk factors include, family history, hormonal and reproductive factors, and risk factors related to health behaviours, for example, smoking, exercise and alcohol intake. Recently, risk estimation for breast cancer has become more accurate with the inclusion of mammographic density and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) into popular risk prediction models. The addition of these new risk factors could alter the risk estimates that women in FHRPCs have been provided. How much these new risk factors alter a previously given risk estimate is unknown. It is also unknown how women will react to a revised risk estimate, especially if it changes their previous estimate and their access to preventive management options. This research aims to explore this gap in the literature.

Estimation of breast cancer risk is important since it enables selection of a high and moderate risk population who benefit from more frequent breast screening and the introduction of targeted measures to reduce risk such as lifestyle change, chemoprevention and risk reducing surgery. Traditionally, risk is estimated by combining information concerning family history and non-familial factors, such as age of menarche and first pregnancy. Subsequent management is related to the degree of risk (high, moderate or average) according to NICE guidelines. Members of the research team and others have added mammographic density (MD) and breast cancer risk associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to risk models which improves the accuracy of risk estimation but which may change the original given risk and risk management given before the updated models became available. The objective of this body of work is to quantify change in risk and risk management when MD and SNPs are incorporated into two standard models (Tyrer-Cuzick v8 \& BOADACEA V). A second objective of the study is to determine the psychological effects of change of risk and management. This work will use participant data from the Family History Risk (FH-Risk) study to recalculate risk. The FH-Risk study population consists of 954 women referred to the Family History Risk and Prevention Clinic (FHRPC) between 2000 and 2012 who gave informed consent for DNA testing and estimation of MD as part of the FH-Risk study which recruited between 2010 and 2012. Change in risk and management will be calculated by comparing given risk at the time of clinic entry compared with re-estimated risk when MD and SNPs are added to the risk models according to NICE guidelines. Risk will be estimated retrospectively at the time of entry to the clinic and the time of latest follow up. A sample of those who took part in the FH-Risk study who are still in the FHRPC for follow-up or discharged (approx.954) will be given the opportunity to discuss their updated risk. Following the risk update consultation a sample of women will be asked whether they would like to take part in an interview to assess the psychological effects of the change, as well as their views and perceptions of the change. These interviews will inform the development of information materials for communicating recalculated risk. These materials will be appraised via 'think aloud' interviews with women from the FH-Risk study who have received their recalculated risk. The results of this work are likely to inform the next iteration of NICE management guidelines for Family History Clinics, as well as inform the creation of patient facing information materials to aid patient - healthcare professional communication. The findings will also be used to develop a questionnaire to be given to women who previously took part in the FH-Risk study to assess the psychological impact of changed risk in a definitive study. This body of work is split into 3 studies: Study 1 - risk recalculation Risk recalculation will be performed for all women who took part in the original FH-Risk study, with all women (still under follow up at the FHRPC or discharged) given the opportunity to attend a consultation to discuss their revised breast cancer risk estimate. Study 2 - women's experiences of receiving a revised breast cancer risk estimate. One to one semi-structured interviews will be conducting with women from study 1 to explore their experiences of receiving a revised breast cancer risk estimate. Breast cancer risk appraisals, the trustworthiness of the estimate, women's emotional responses will all be considered in these interviews. Information and communication needs will also be explored. Study 3 - a questionnaire study assessing for whether women's subjective risk appraisals are inline with the revised risk estimate provided. A questionnaire will be distributed to women in the study and they will be asked about their subjective risk appraisals, their thoughts on whether risk has changed, their satisfaction with the risk communicated and their cancer worry.