Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk Assessment in Patients With Breast and Ovarian Cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria

PURPOSE Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and ovarian cancer has the highest case fatality rate of all gynecologic cancers. In Nigeria, approximately 80% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Genetic testing has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with late cancer diagnosis. The introduction of genetic testing for cancer risk assessment at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan will serve as a model for the rest of Nigeria. The objective of this study was to introduce genetic testing for cancer risk assessment in patients with breast and ovarian cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria and to determine the demographics of women undergoing testing and their perceptions concerning the benefits of and barriers to genetic testing. METHODS Patients with breast or ovarian cancer were recruited at UCH. All patients received genetic counseling and had the opportunity to consent to the Color Genomics Hereditary Cancer Panel Test, free of charge, after due ethical approval. Patients were tested for 30 gene mutations with known associations to eight hereditary cancers. After testing, patients completed a semistandardized questionnaire assessing their sociodemographic information, family cancer history, and perceived benefits and barriers to genetic testing. RESULTS Seven patients with ovarian cancer and 40 patients with breast cancer received genetic counseling, and all chose to undergo subsequent genetic testing. The average age at testing was 49 years, and the average age at cancer diagnosis was 47 years. Eight women reported a known family cancer history, and there were more perceived benefits than barriers to genetic testing. The genetic test results revealed 27 negative mutations, 16 variants of unknown significance, and four pathogenic mutations. CONCLUSION Patients with breast and ovarian cancer at UCH associate genetic testing with benefits for their care. These results suggest potential for growth and sustainability of genetic testing for cancer risk management in Nigeria.