1579 Background: Per national practice guidelines, pre-test genetic counseling (GC) through a board-certified or credentialed genetics health professional (GHP) is recommended when testing for hereditary cancer. We sought to compare differences in rates of pre-test GC among young breast cancer (BC) patients tested with or without GHP involvement across three racial groups (Black, Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW)). Methods: A population-based sample of Black, Hispanic and NHW women diagnosed with invasive BC ≤ age 50 from 2009 to 2012 were recruited through the Florida State Cancer Registry. Participants were asked to complete a baseline questionnaire and release medical records for verification of clinical information and genetic testing. We compared the rates of pre-test GC across racial groups in women tested with or without GHP involvement using Analysis of Variance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also conducted to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Of 1618 participants, 828 had genetic testing based on medical records and/or self-reported on their questionnaire. There were 170 (20.5%) with GHP involvement (either through consultation and/or test ordering) and the remaining 658 women (79.5%) had no documentation of GHP involvement. Among patients tested without GHP involvement, rates of pre-test GC were significantly lower among Black women (34.8%) compared to Hispanics (80%) and NHW (78.7%) (p < 0.001). In contrast, among those with GHP involvement, rates of pre-test GC were similar among Black (89.7%), Hispanic (81.1%) and NHW (84.6%) (p = 0.89). Conclusions: Our results suggest that among young breast cancer patients tested for hereditary cancer without GHP involvement, Blacks were significantly less likely to receive pre-test GC, compared to the other two groups. In contrast, rates of pre-test GC among those with GHP involvement were similar across all groups. These results suggest a disparity in receipt of pre-test GC (which is standard of care per national guidelines) among Blacks tested without GHP involvement. These findings are concerning given the need to offer guideline-adherent care to all patients receiving hereditary cancer testing.
