1
|
Bon SBB, Wouters RHP, Bakhuizen JJ, Jongmans MCJ, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Grootenhuis MA. Experiences of pediatric cancer patients (age 12-18 years) with extensive germline sequencing for cancer predisposition: a qualitative study. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:567-575. [PMID: 38409533 PMCID: PMC11061193 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01565-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explored the experiences and needs of adolescents, ranging from 12 to 18 years old, who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and participated in a nationwide germline genetic sequencing study within the context of pediatric oncology. The 21 adolescents in this qualitative interview study viewed genetic sequencing as an integral part of their cancer journey. They often characterized germline sequencing as "good-to-know" without specifying immediate utility. While the adolescents comprehended the significance of germline genetic sequencing, they were less focused on its potential long-term implications. Adolescents expressed a strong desire to be actively engaged in decisions related to genetics. They advocated for a participatory role in genetic decision-making from a young age onwards. They recommended that re-consent should be sought before re-analysis of their genetic data is performed and believe that patients should have the opportunity to provide (re-)consent once they reach adulthood. Moreover, the adolescents emphasized the importance of developing counseling materials that are not only concise but also visually attractive. In conclusion, this study underscores the positive perception that adolescents diagnosed with cancer hold regarding germline genetic sequencing. They articulate a strong interest in being actively involved in genetic decision-making. To address these articulated needs and preferences, we recommend the development of visually engaging counseling materials. These materials should effectively convey both the immediate and long-term implications of genetic sequencing, enabling adolescents with cancer to make informed decisions about genetic sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian B B Bon
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Roel H P Wouters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jette J Bakhuizen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolijn C J Jongmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Child Health, UMCU-Wilhelmina's Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Child Health, UMCU-Wilhelmina's Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martha A Grootenhuis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Child Health, UMCU-Wilhelmina's Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wilfond BS. I know Things Now: The Challenges for Genetic Counseling of Adolescents with a Family History of Hereditary Breast Cancer. J Pediatr 2022; 251:49-50. [PMID: 35985537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Wilfond
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jennings C, Wynn J, Miguel C, Levinson E, Florido ME, White M, Sands CB, Schwartz LA, Daly M, O'Toole K, Buys SS, Glendon G, Hanna D, Andrulis IL, Terry MB, Chung WK, Bradbury A. Mother and Daughter Perspectives on Genetic Counseling and Testing of Adolescents for Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk. J Pediatr 2022; 251:113-119.e7. [PMID: 35777474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the risks, benefits, and utility of testing for adult-onset hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in adolescents and young adults. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated interest in genetic testing of adolescents for adult-onset HBOC genes through semistructured interviews with mothers and adolescents who had previously participated in breast cancer research or had pursued (mothers) clinical testing for HBOC. RESULTS The majority of mothers (73%) and daughters (75%) were interested in the daughter having genetic testing and were motivated by the future medical utility and current social utility of relieving anxiety and allowing them to prepare. Mothers and daughters both reported that approximately 3 years in the future was the best time to test the daughter regardless of the current age of the daughter. Overall, both mothers and daughters expressed the importance of the involvement of the mother to provide educational and emotional support but ultimately it was the daughter's decision to test. Balancing the independence and maturity of the daughter while reinforcing communication and support within the dyad was a prominent theme throughout the interviews. CONCLUSIONS There is interest among some high-risk adolescents and young adults to engage in genetic counseling and undergo testing. Providing pretest and posttest genetic counseling, assessing preferences for parent involvement, and offering psychosocial support may be important if genetic testing for HBOC is offered to adolescents and young adults before age 25 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Jennings
- Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Cecilia Miguel
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Elana Levinson
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Michelle E Florido
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Melissa White
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Colleen Burke Sands
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lisa A Schwartz
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mary Daly
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Karen O'Toole
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Saundra S Buys
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Gordon Glendon
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Hanna
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irene L Andrulis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Beth Terry
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY.
| | - Angela Bradbury
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tutty E, Forbes Shepherd R, Hoskins C, Purvis R, Shanahan M, Boussioutas A, Forrest LE. Becoming and being a parent with an inherited predisposition to diffuse gastric cancer: A qualitative study of young adults with a CDH1 pathogenic variant. J Psychosoc Oncol 2022; 41:286-302. [PMID: 35959852 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2104676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study explored the experiences of young people with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome, as they navigate becoming and being a parent. DESIGN We used interpretive description and conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 young Australians (18-39 years) with a CDH1 pathogenic variant (PV). Data were analyzed using team-based, reflexive thematic analysis. FINDINGS Participants' reproductive decisions centered on the perceived manageability of HDGC, namely via gastrectomy, and timing of their genetic testing. Participants yet to have children and those with challenging gastrectomy experiences favored using reproductive technologies to prevent passing on their PV. Parents who had children before genetic testing described complicated decisions about having more children. Gastrectomy was considered a parental responsibility but recovery diminished parenting abilities. CONCLUSION Young people with HDGC face unique challenges navigating reproductive decision-making and parenting with gastrectomy. Findings lend credence to calls for longitudinal, developmentally sensitive genetic counseling services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Tutty
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rowan Forbes Shepherd
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Cass Hoskins
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rebecca Purvis
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mary Shanahan
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Boussioutas
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura E Forrest
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Forbes Shepherd R, Werner-Lin A, Keogh LA, Delatycki MB, Forrest LE. “I need to know if I’m going to die young”: Adolescent and young adult experiences of genetic testing for Li–Fraumeni syndrome. J Psychosoc Oncol 2020; 39:54-73. [DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2020.1768199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Forbes Shepherd
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allison Werner-Lin
- School of Social Policy and Practice, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Louise A. Keogh
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin B. Delatycki
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura E. Forrest
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Health professionals’ practice for young people with, or at risk of, Li–Fraumeni syndrome: An Australasian survey. J Genet Couns 2019; 29:737-747. [DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|