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2023 Bayer-PCF Health Equity Research Award

Incorporating Patient Education into Germline Genetic Testing in Black Patients with Prostate Cancer

Principal Investigator: Burcu Darst, PhD (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center)

Young Investigator: Hiba Khan, MD, MPH (University of Washington)

Co-Investigators: Heather Cheng, MD, PhD (University of Washington), Manoj Menon, MD, MPH (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center), Yaw Nyame, MD, MS (University of Washington)

Collaborator: Veda Giri, MD (Yale University)

Description:

  • Prostate cancer represents one of the largest health disparities in the US, with Black patients having the highest incidence and mortality rates. Prostate cancer is also one of the most heritable cancers, estimated to be ~57% heritable, and differences in social, environmental, lifestyle, and germline genetic risk factors are thought to contribute to disparities in incidence and mortality rates.
  • Despite the established effectiveness of genetic factors for stratifying disease risk, predicting disease aggressiveness, and informing disease management, Black patients are less likely to receive genetic testing results. This could exacerbate the existing health disparities of prostate cancer, as genetic testing is now a standard of care for patients with advanced disease.
  • Burcu Darst and team will determine whether a tailored educational program improves the participation of Black patients in prostate cancer germline genetic testing and evaluate the impact of receiving genetic testing results on prostate cancer management among Black patients.
  • This will be accomplished by establishing a cohort of Black patients with recently diagnosed prostate cancer and evaluating whether an educational program increases the likelihood of deciding to undergo genetic testing and whether this information ultimately impacts decisions around disease management.
  • The team will also determine how educational information was used, including whether patients shared their results with family members or healthcare providers, the perceived utility of this information, and whether it impacted decisions around disease management.
  • If successful, this research will improve our understanding of how to engage Black patients in prostate cancer genetic testing and how genetic testing subsequently impacts disease management in Black patients.

What this means to patients: Despite disparately higher prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates among Black patients, they are less likely to undergo genetic testing for prostate cancer risk, which may further exacerbate health disparities outcomes. Dr. Darst and team will determine whether a tailored education program increases the likelihood of Black patients to undergo genetic testing and how this information impacts disease management decisions. This could improve engagement of Black patients in prostate cancer genetic testing and improve patient outcomes, ultimately reducing prostate cancer health disparities.