Family communication after melanoma diagnosis

A randomized controlled trial of a tailored navigation intervention to promote breast and cervical cancer screening among intergenerational Southeast Asian women

Background

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Southeast Asian women in the U.S. Southeast Asian women have significantly high rates of breast and cervical cancers, yet are least likely to obtain regular mammography and Pap testing of all racial/ethnic groups in the U.S.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to compare a tailored navigation intervention delivered by bilingual and bicultural Community Health Advisors to information and reminder only to increase age-appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening completion among Southeast Asian women.

Methods

The Southeast Asian Women's Health Project study will enroll 232 Cambodian, Filipino, Lao, and Vietnamese women who are not up to date with their breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women randomized to navigation will receive the intervention for 10 weeks. Women in the information group will be mailed information on mammography and Pap testing only. All participants will be contacted post-enrollment to assess screening completion.

Discussion

We will examine intervention efficacy, predictors of each intervention group, and the influence of intergenerational exchange of breast and cervical cancer screening information between mothers and daughters. We will disseminate study results locally to the community, nationally at conferences, and through peer-reviewed journals.

Impact of Distribution of a Tip Sheet to Increase Early Detection and Prevention Behavior among First-Degree Relatives of Melanoma Patients: A Randomized Cluster Trial

Simple Summary

The risk of melanoma is higher in first-degree relatives (FDRs, i.e., brother, sister, father, mother, or children) of a patient with melanoma than in the general population. FDRs are advised to undergo annual screening to detect any melanoma earlier and to adopt sun-protective behavior by seeking shade, wearing a hat and long-sleeved clothing, staying indoors between 12 noon and 4 p.m., and applying sunscreen with SPF > 50. We know that these general instructions, usually given orally to the patients, are inconsistently followed by FDRs. Our goal was to determine whether written support intended for FDRs of patients would improve early detection and photoprotection as compared with usual oral advice. We developed and evaluated the use of a tip sheet given by patients to their FDRs. The adherence of FDRs to early detection by medical examination and to sun protection was not improved by delivery of the tip sheet as compared with the usual oral advice.

Abstract

Background: First-degree relatives (FDRs, defined as parents, children, and siblings) of melanoma patients are at a two-to-fivefold increased risk of developing melanoma themselves. FDRs are advised to perform self-skin examination (SSE) and annual medical total cutaneous examination (TCE) performed either by a dermatologist or a general practitioner, and to change their sun-related behavior. This advice is given orally to melanoma patients who are asked to relay the information to their FDRs. Objective: Our aim was to determine the impact of providing a tip sheet to melanoma patients intended to their first-degree relatives (FDRs) on early detection and sun-related behaviors in this group at increased risk of melanoma. Methods: A superiority, cluster-randomized trial was conducted at nine hospital centers. In the intervention group, dermatologists were asked to deliver to melanoma patients (index cases) the tip sheet and oral advice intended to their FDRs. The control group were asked to deliver the usual oral advice alone. The primary outcome was early detection of melanoma in FDRs with a medical TCE performed within one year after the first visit of the index case. Secondary outcomes were SSE and sun-related behaviors in FDRs. Results: A total of 48 index cases and 114 FDRS in the control group, 60 index cases and 166 FDRS in the intervention group were recruited. In the intervention group, 36.1% of FDRs performed a medical TCE as compared to 39.5% of FDRs in the control group (OR 0.9 [95% CI 0.5 to 1.5], p = 0.63). We did not find a between-group difference in SSE and sun-related behaviors. Conclusion: A tip sheet added to the usual oral advice did not increase medical TCE among FDRs of melanoma patients. Overall, the rate of TCE among FDRs was low. Research on other strategies is needed to increase melanoma detection in this population.

Gender differences in self-reported family history of cancer: A review and secondary data analysis

Background

Assessment of family history of cancer (FHC) mostly relies on self‐report. Our goal was to find out whether there is a systematic gender difference in self‐reported FHC.

Methods

We identified nine population‐based studies which provided statistics of FHC in men and women (N₁ = 404 541). Furthermore, we analyzed data (N₂ = 167 154) from several iterations of the US‐based Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). We calculated the proportion of positive FHC, odds ratios (OR M/F), 95% confidence intervals, and aggregated statistics. We additionally analyzed in‐depth questions about FHC from HINTS 5 Cycle 2.

Results

In the reviewed studies the odds of men reporting a FHC were lower compared with the odds of women with an average OR of 0.84 [0.71; 1.00] across all studies and an OR of 0.75 [0.70; 0.80] for the six studies from the US and Europe. The gender gap was replicated in our own analyses of HINTS and NHIS with an average OR of 0.75 [0.71; 0.79]. In HINTS 5 Cycle 2 men described themselves as less familiar with their FHC and less confident answering questions regarding FHC. They were also less likely to discuss FHC with family members.

Conclusions

Men— at least in the US and Europe—were consistently less likely to report FHC compared with women. Future research should investigate how the assessment of FHC can be improved to reduce these differences. Health care professionals should also consider the potential for biased reporting by gender when assessing FHC.

Health communication roles in Latino, Pacific Islander, and Caucasian Families: A qualitative investigation

Family communication about health is critical for the dissemination of information that may improve health management of all family members. Communication about health issues, attitudes, and behaviors in families is associated with life expectancy as well as quality of life for family members. This study addresses family communication about health by examining individual roles for family health communication and factors related to these roles, among families of three different racial/ethnic groups: Caucasians, Latinos, and Pacific Islanders. Data were collected from 60 participants recruited as 30 family dyads, 10 from each group, through qualitative semistructured interviews. Interviews were conducted with each participant separately and then together in a dyadic interview. Two coders independently coded interview transcripts using NVivo 11. Results identified the family health communication roles of collector, disseminator, health educator, and researcher. We also identified several factors related to these roles using the lens of family systems theory-the presence of chronic conditions in the family, previous experience, medical education, and family hierarchy. Findings demonstrate many similarities and relatively few differences in the family health communication roles and the related factors among the families of different race/ethnicity. Conclusions highlight implications for future research and intervention development.

Randomized trial of a web-based survivor intervention on melanoma prevention behaviors of first-degree relatives

OBJECTIVES

Melanoma can be prevented through reducing sun exposure and detected early by increasing examination of skin for lesions. First-degree relatives of melanoma cases have higher risk than the general population and, therefore, could be targets of behavioral interventions through families. We tested the effects of a family-based web delivered intervention to melanoma families on the melanoma risk reduction behaviors of first-degree relatives of melanoma cases.

METHODS

A total of 313 families that included one first-degree relative were recruited to join this randomized trial. All intervention families received access to the Suntalk website developed to promote family communication and behavioral risk reduction among families of melanoma survivors.

RESULTS

First degree relatives in the intervention arm significantly increased their yearly performance of both skin self examination and thorough provider examination from baseline to 12-month follow-up while the control FDRs decreased their yearly performance of both of those behaviors (p's = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). Several sun protection behaviors increased significantly in FDRs in the intervention arm but not the control arm, including wearing a covering on the head (p = 0.005), staying in available shade (p = 0.008), and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours (p = 0.010). Some of these changes were mediated by perceptions of risk and other process variables.

CONCLUSIONS

A web-based intervention can reduce risk of melanoma through changes in relevant behaviors among first-degree relatives of melanoma survivors. Future research should identify methods for making this type of intervention accessible to more families and for broadening the reach to other types of cancer families.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This program can be provided to melanoma families to improve their sun protection and screening behaviors, at the point of diagnosis.

Genetic Test Reporting and Counseling for Melanoma Risk in Minors May Improve Sun Protection Without Inducing Distress

Genetic testing of minors is advised only for conditions in which benefits of early intervention outweigh potential psychological harms. This study investigated whether genetic counseling and test reporting for the CDKN2A/p16 mutation, which confers highly elevated melanoma risk, improved sun protection without inducing distress. Eighteen minors (Mage = 12.4, SD = 1.9) from melanoma-prone families completed measures of protective behavior and distress at baseline, 1 week (distress only), 1 month, and 1 year following test disclosure. Participants and their mothers were individually interviewed on the psychological and behavioral impact of genetic testing 1 month and 1 year post-disclosure. Carriers (n = 9) and noncarriers (n = 9) reported significantly fewer sunburns and a greater proportion reported sun protection adherence between baseline and 1 year post-disclosure; results did not vary by mutation status. Anxiety symptoms remained low post-disclosure, while depressive symptoms and cancer worry decreased. Child and parent interviews corroborated these findings. Mothers indicated that genetic testing was beneficial (100%) because it promoted risk awareness (90.9%) and sun protection (81.8%) without making their children scared (89.9%); several noted their child's greater independent practice of sun protection (45.4%). In this small initial study, minors undergoing CDKN2A/p16 genetic testing reported behavioral improvements and consistently low distress, suggesting such testing may be safely implemented early in life, allowing greater opportunity for risk-reducing lifestyle changes.

All in the family? Communication of cancer survivors with their families

Families often bear the burden of communication about cancer risk, as well as support during and after treatment for cancer in family members. These activities are left up to survivors and their families, with little support or knowledge of useful methods. We present data on aspects of family that are most relevant to risk of cancer-related communication and health promotion among family members. Families (a survivor, one first-degree relative and one parent; n = 313 families) were enrolled in the survey-based study. We assessed multiple aspects of family communication about risk for melanoma among family participants. Families communicate less frequently than desired about cancer risk. Most families do identify a "family health provider" who keeps family data and serves a resource for family members. The reasons given for lack of family communication are diverse but many can be addressed as part of a family communication intervention. Families are poised to improve their family communication about cancer risk and so can play a role in increasing the health of their members.

Communication Among Melanoma Family Members

Interventions to improve communication among family members may facilitate information flow about familial risk and preventive health behaviors. This is a secondary analysis of the effects of an interactive website intervention aimed at increasing communication frequency and agreement about health risk among melanoma families. Participants were family units, consisting of one family member with melanoma identified from a previous research study (the Case) and an additional first degree relative and a parent of a child 0-17. Family triads were randomized to receive access to the website intervention or to serve as control families. Family communication frequency and agreement about melanoma prevention behaviors and beliefs were measured at baseline and again at 1 year post randomization. Intervention participants of all three types significantly increased the frequency of communication to their first degree relatives (Parents, siblings, children; range = 14-18 percentage points; all p < .05). At baseline, approximately two-thirds of all three family members talked with at least some member of the family about cancer risk. Agreement between Cases and First Degree Relatives and between Cases and Parents increased from pre to post intervention in the intervention participants compared to the control participants (p < .05). These findings provide support for interventions to improve family communication about cancer risk.

Communication about melanoma and risk reduction after melanoma diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Melanoma patients are advised to perform regular risk-reduction practices, including sun protection as well as skin self-examinations (SSEs) and physician-led examinations. Melanoma-specific communication regarding family risk and screening may promote such behaviors. To this end, associations between patients' melanoma-specific communication and risk reduction were examined.

METHODS

Melanoma patients (N = 169) drawn from a population-based cancer registry reported their current risk-reduction practices, perceived risk of future melanoma, and communication with physicians and relatives about melanoma risk and screening.

RESULTS

Patients were, on average, 56 years old and 6.7 years' post diagnosis; 51% were male, 93% reported "fair/very fair" skin color, 75% completed at least some college, and 22% reported a family history of melanoma. Patients reported varying levels of regular (always/nearly always) sun protection: sunscreen use (79%), shade seeking (60%), hat use (54%), and long-sleeve shirt use (30%). Only 28% performed thorough SSE regularly, whereas 92% reported undergoing physician-led skin examinations within the past year. Participants who were female, younger, and had a higher perceived risk of future melanoma were more likely to report past communication. In adjusted analyses, communication remained uniquely associated with increased sunscreen use and SSE.

CONCLUSIONS

Encouraging melanoma patients to have a more active role in discussions concerning melanoma risk and screening with relatives and physicians alike may be a useful strategy to promote 2 key risk-reduction practices post melanoma diagnosis and treatment. Future research is needed to identify additional strategies to improve comprehensive risk reduction in long-term melanoma patients.

Patterns and sources of information about family melanoma risk among melanoma survivors

AIM

Melanoma survivors can play a pivotal role in raising family melanoma risk awareness, but are not always aware of family risk. This study examines patterns and sources of survivors' awareness that first-degree relatives (FDRs) face heightened melanoma risk.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Population-based melanoma survivors (n = 170) completed a 15-min telephone interview. Logistic regressions examining covariates were conducted using awareness (yes vs no) of heightened risk to FDRs as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Almost half (41%) were unaware that their FDRs faced heightened melanoma risk. Of those 59% who were aware, most learned this from dermatologists. In multivariable analyses perceived risk and body site remained significant.

CONCLUSION

Many melanoma survivors remain unaware that their FDRs are at melanoma risk. The results underscore the role that dermatologists and other doctors play in fostering risk awareness. Sensitivity to providing family risk information to survivors who have lower risk perceptions, regardless of anatomic site, is warranted.

Discussion of photoprotection, screening, and risk behaviors with children and grandchildren after melanoma genetic testing

The purpose of the current study was to examine changes in frequency of discussion about melanoma preventive behaviors among adults who received melanoma genetic test reporting and counseling and their children and grandchildren, correspondence of frequency of discussion with intentions, and content of discussions. Participants received CDKN2A/p16 testing and counseling (N = 24, 46 % p16-positive). Discussions about preventive behaviors were assessed before testing and 1 and 6 months post-testing. Intentions to discuss preventive behaviors and perceived preparedness to discuss risk were assessed post-testing. Open-ended questions assessed content of reported discussions. Discussion of preventive behaviors declined following test reporting, with more rapid decline reported by noncarriers. There was a large gap between the percentage of participants who intended to discuss preventive behaviors and who then reported discussions 1 and 6 months after counseling. Participants felt prepared to discuss melanoma risk but also suggested resources to facilitate discussions. Genetic test reporting and counseling alone did not sustain discussions about preventive behaviors for a hereditary cancer with children and grandchildren. The gap between intentions to have discussions and reported discussions has implications for augmentation of counseling to support at-risk families' discussions about preventive behaviors.

Evaluation of the Families SHARE workbook: an educational tool outlining disease risk and healthy guidelines to reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer and colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are etiologically complex with multiple risk factors (e.g., environment, genetic, lifestyle). These risk factors tend to cluster in families, making families an important social context for intervention and lifestyle-focused disease prevention. The Families Sharing Health Assessment and Risk Evaluation (SHARE) workbook was designed as an educational tool outlining family health history based risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The current paper describes the steps taken to develop and evaluate the workbook employing a user-centered design approach.

METHODS

The workbook was developed in four steps, culminating in an evaluation focusing on understanding and usability of the tool. The evaluation was based on two Phases of data collected from a sample of mothers of young children in the Washington, D.C., area. A baseline assessment and follow-up approximately two weeks after receipt of the workbook were conducted, as well as focus groups with participants. The design of the workbook was refined in response to participant feedback from the first evaluation Phase and subsequently re-evaluated with a new sample.

RESULTS

After incorporating user-based feedback and revising the workbook, Phase 2 evaluation results indicated that understanding of the workbook components improved for all sections (from 6.26 to 6.81 on a 7-point scale). In addition, 100% of users were able to use the algorithm to assess their disease risk and over 60% used the algorithm to assess family members' disease risk. At follow-up, confidence to increase fruit, vegetable and fiber intake improved significantly, as well.

CONCLUSIONS

The Families SHARE workbook was developed and evaluated resulting in a family health history tool that is both understandable and usable by key stakeholders. This educational tool will be used in intervention studies assessing the effectiveness of family genomics health educators who use the Families SHARE workbook to disseminate family risk information and encourage risk reducing behaviors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01498276 . Registered 21 December 2011.

Effects of web-based intervention on risk reduction behaviors in melanoma survivors

PURPOSE

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, and survivors of melanoma carry increased risk of additional melanoma diagnosis. Multiple methods exist for primary and secondary prevention of melanoma in survivors. This study tested a web-based family communication intervention to improve these preventive behaviors in melanoma families.

METHODS

Families (a survivor, at least one first-degree relative and a parent) were randomized either to receive the intervention package or to serve as comparison families. We assessed melanoma prevention behaviors in each cohort member before and after the intervention. The intervention was a web-based multicomponent intervention focused on increasing family communication and exchange of risk information.

RESULTS

Results indicated that, compared to comparison survivors, intervention survivors improved their skin self-examination and their sun protection behaviors significantly from before to after intervention.

CONCLUSION

These data support the use of web-based interventions for behavioral changes in survivors and allow for consideration of dissemination of this successful intervention. These data have implications for interventions that can help cancer families deal with issues of risk and illness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

These data indicate that survivors can benefit from exposure to a website that helps direct their future health behaviors.

Barriers to risk-understanding and risk-reduction behaviors among individuals with a family history of melanoma

Family members of melanoma patients are often called upon to provide support, ranging from monetary to medical assistance. Consanguineal relatives of melanoma patients are also at greater risk of developing the disease themselves. However, as a group, they have limited understanding of their melanoma risk and they demonstrate inadequate primary and secondary prevention behaviors. The optimal intervention strategies for improving the consistent use of such behaviors (i.e., improving rates of sun-protection behaviors and screening) remains unclear, necessitating further research.

Randomized controlled trial of a sun protection intervention for children of melanoma survivors

BACKGROUND

We studied whether a melanoma survivor-centered intervention was more effective than materials available to the general public in increasing children's sun protection.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial, melanoma survivors (n = 340) who had a child ≤ 12 years received a targeted sun protection intervention (DVD and booklets) or standard education. Primary outcomes were children's sunburns, children's sun protection, and survivors' psychosocial factors at baseline and postintervention (1 and 4 months).

RESULTS

The intervention increased children's sunscreen reapplication at 1 month (P = 0.002) and use of wide-brimmed hats at 4 months (P = 0.045). There were no effects on other behaviors or sunburns. The intervention improved survivors' hats/clothing self-efficacy at both follow-up assessments (P = 0.026, 0.009). At 4 months, the intervention improved survivors' clothing intentions (P = 0.029), knowledge (P = 0.010), and outcome expectations for hats (P = 0.002) and clothing (P = 0.037). Children's sun protection increased with survivors' intervention use. The intervention was less effective in survivors who were female or who had a family history, older children, or children with higher baseline sun protection scores.

CONCLUSIONS

A melanoma survivor-centered sun protection intervention can improve some child and survivor outcomes. The intervention may be more effective in survivors who have younger children or less experience with sun protection. Intervention delivery must be enhanced to maximize use.

IMPACT

This is the first study to examine a sun protection intervention for children of melanoma survivors. Findings will guide interventions for this important population at increased melanoma risk.

Life events may contribute to family communication about cancer risk following BRCA1/2 testing

We assessed whether certain life events contributed to the communication about cancer risk within families who have undergone BRCA1/2 testing. We also explored what type of resources participants would have valued to help in supporting family communication about genetic information. Two hundred and forty-six individuals (218 women, 28 men) who received a BRCA1/2 genetic test result 3 to 10 years earlier (mean of 6.4 years) participated in a telephone interview. Participants were asked about the occurrence of a number of life events (cancer diagnosis, death, uptake of prophylactic surgery, and providing care to a family member with cancer) in their family since their BRCA1/2 test result disclosure and, for each occurrence, whether it fostered family communication about cancer risk. A total of 182 participants (74 %) reported that they or one of their relatives received a cancer diagnosis, 176 (72 %) reported that someone died in their family, and 73 (30 %) stated that they or one of their relatives undertook a prophylactic surgery. During this period, 109 participants (44 %) also provided care for a family member who had cancer. Among participants who reported these life events, family communication was fostered by these events in proportions varying from 50 % (death) to 69 % (cancer diagnosis). Our results indicate that life events may contribute to family communication about cancer risk. Further research is needed to determine whether these events provide a "window of opportunity" to reach family members, address their needs and concerns about cancer, update family cancer history, and introduce genetic counseling and risk assessment.

Confirmation of family cancer history reported in a population-based survey

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of family cancer history is essential for estimating an individual's cancer risk and making clinical recommendations regarding screening and referral to a specialty cancer genetics clinic. However, it is not clear if reported family cancer history is sufficiently accurate for this purpose.

METHODS

In the population-based 2001 Connecticut Family Health Study, 1019 participants reported on 20 578 first-degree relatives (FDR) and second-degree relatives (SDR). Of those, 2605 relatives were sampled for confirmation of cancer reports on breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer. Confirmation sources included state cancer registries, Medicare databases, the National Death Index, death certificates, and health-care facility records. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for reports on lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer and after stratification by sex, age, education, and degree of relatedness and used to estimate report accuracy. Pairwise t tests were used to evaluate differences between the two strata in each stratified analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Overall, sensitivity and positive predictive value were low to moderate and varied by cancer type: 60.2% and 40.0%, respectively, for lung cancer reports, 27.3% and 53.5% for colorectal cancer reports, 61.1% and 61.3% for breast cancer reports, and 32.0% and 53.4% for prostate cancer reports. Specificity and negative predictive value were more than 95% for all four cancer types. Cancer history reports on FDR were more accurate than reports on SDR, with reports on FDR having statistically significantly higher sensitivity for prostate cancer than reports on SDR (58.9% vs 21.5%, P = .002) and higher positive predictive value for lung (78.1% vs 31.7%, P < .001), colorectal (85.8% vs 43.5%, P = .004), and breast cancer (79.9% vs 53.6%, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

General population reports on family history for the four major adult cancers were not highly accurate. Efforts to improve accuracy are needed in primary care and other health-care settings in which family history is collected to ensure appropriate risk assessment and clinical care recommendations.

Using a family systems approach to investigate cancer risk communication within melanoma families

OBJECTIVE

The family provides an important communication nexus for information and support exchange about family cancer history, and adoption of family-wide cancer risk reduction strategies. The goals of this study were to (1) use the family systems theory to identify characteristics of this sample of families at increased risk of developing melanoma and (2) to relate familial characteristics to the frequency and style of familial risk communication.

METHODS

Participants were first-degree relatives (n=313) of melanoma patients, recruited into a family web-based intervention study. We used multivariable logistic regression models to analyze the association between family functioning and family communication.

RESULTS

Most participants were female (60%), with an average age of 51 years. Fifty percent of participants reported that they spoke to their relatives about melanoma risk and people were more likely to speak to their female family members. Familial adaptation, cohesion, coping, and health beliefs were strongly associated with an open style of risk communication within families. None were associated with a blocked style of risk communication. Only cohesion and adaptation were associated with the amount of risk communication that occurred within families.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, individuals who came from families that were more highly cohesive, adaptable, and shared strong beliefs about melanoma risk were more likely to communicate openly about melanoma. The fact that this association was not consistent across blocked communication and communication frequency highlights the multifaceted nature of this process. Future research should focus on the interplay between different facets of communication.

Personal attributions for melanoma risk in melanoma-affected patients and family members

Personal attributions for cancer risk involve factors that individuals believe contribute to their risk for developing cancer. Understanding personal risk attributions for melanoma may dictate gene-environment melanoma risk communication strategies. We examined attributions for melanoma risk in a population-based sample of melanoma survivors, first degree family members, and family members who are also parents (N = 939). We conducted qualitative examination of open-ended risk attributions and logistic regression examining predictors (demographics, family member type, perceived risk) of the attributions reported (ultraviolet radiation [UVR] exposure, heredity/genetics, phenotype, personal melanoma history, miscellaneous). We found a predominance of risk attributions to UVR and heredity/genetics (80 and 45% of the sample, respectively). Those reporting higher education levels were more likely to endorse attributions to heredity/genetics, as well as to phenotype, than those of lower education levels. First-degree relatives and parent family members were more likely to endorse heredity/genetic attributions than melanoma survivors; melanoma survivors were more likely to endorse personal history of melanoma attributions compared to first-degree relatives and parent family members. These findings inform the development of risk communication interventions for melanoma families.

Characteristics of health information gatherers, disseminators, and blockers within families at risk of hereditary cancer: implications for family health communication interventions

OBJECTIVES

Given the importance of the dissemination of accurate family history to assess disease risk, we characterized the gatherers, disseminators, and blockers of health information within families at high genetic risk of cancer.

METHODS

A total of 5466 personal network members of 183 female participants of the Breast Imaging Study from 124 families with known mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes (associated with high risk of breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer) were identified by using the Colored Eco-Genetic Relationship Map (CEGRM). Hierarchical nonlinear models were fitted to characterize information gatherers, disseminators, and blockers.

RESULTS

Gatherers of information were more often female (P<.001), parents (P<.001), and emotional support providers (P<.001). Disseminators were more likely female first- and second-degree relatives (both P<.001), family members in the older or same generation as the participant (P<.001), those with a cancer history (P<.001), and providers of emotional (P<.001) or tangible support (P<.001). Blockers tended to be spouses or partners (P<.001) and male, first-degree relatives (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide insight into which family members may, within a family-based intervention, effectively gather family risk information, disseminate information, and encourage discussions regarding shared family risk.

Perceived intrafamily melanoma risk communication

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can be deadly. Members of families with a strong history of melanoma have a high risk of melanoma occurrence or recurrence. Enhanced survival in these family members could be influenced by their knowledge of melanoma risk and by simple behaviors to decrease their risk or detect melanoma in its early, most curable, stage. Yet, there is minimal exploration on communication of risk or risk-modifying behaviors in melanoma at-risk families. In this study, we describe perceived intrafamily communication of melanoma risk. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we examined in-depth interviews with 22 members of 8 families having 2 or more cases of melanoma. We identified 4 major themes: (1) awareness and understanding of risk, (2) families facilitate and hinder communication, (3) promoting melanoma prevention and detection in the family, and (4) an obligation to tell others. We discuss these findings in the context of extant knowledge of cancer risk communication in families at high risk for other cancers, impediments to cancer risk communication, remaining gaps in knowledge of this phenomenon, suggestions for hypothesis-driven research, and clinical implications that are applicable to these and other at-risk families.