The FamilyTalk randomized controlled trial: patient-reported outcomes in clinical genetic sequencing for colorectal cancer

Sukh Makhnoon, Deborah J. Bowen, Brian H. Shirts, Stephanie M. Fullerton, Eric B. Larson, James D. Ralston, Kathleen A. Leppig, David R. Crosslin, David Veenstra, Gail P. Jarvik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

As genetics gains favor in clinical oncology, it is important to address patient concerns around confidentiality, privacy, and security of genetic information that might otherwise limit its utilization. We designed a randomized controlled trial to assess the social impact of an online educational tool (FamilyTalk) to increase family communication about colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and screening. Of 208 randomized participants, 149 (71.6%) returned six-month surveys. Overall, there was no difference in CRC screening between the study arms. Privacy and confidentiality concerns about medical and genetic information, reactions to genetic test results, and lifestyle changes did not differ between arms. Participants with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) and variant of uncertain significance (VUS) results were more likely than those with negative results to report that the results accurately predicted their disease risks (OR 5.37, p = 0.02 and OR 3.13, p = 0.02, respectively). This trial demonstrated no evidence that FamilyTalk impacted patient-reported outcomes. Low power, due to the limited number of participants with P/LP results in the overall sample, as well as the short follow-up period, could have contributed to the null findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)483-492
Number of pages10
JournalCancer Causes and Control
Volume32
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Confidentiality
  • Electronic medical record
  • Genetic testing
  • Privacy
  • Randomized controlled trial

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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