Perception accuracy of BRCA1/2 mutation predisposition in breast cancer women and associated factors

This study aims to determine accuracy between perceived risk of genetic predisposition and objective estimation of this risk, and its associated factors in women, probands affected with breast cancer. Perception of this risk, absolute and comparative, was confronted with objective estimation. Emotional distress and knowledge postcounseling were measured, respectively by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Breast Genetic Counseling Knowledge Questionnaire (BGKQ). On 213 eligible consultants, the 173 questionnaires (81.2%) analyzed revealed an inaccuracy of perception of absolute and comparative risks in 50 and 55.3%, respectively. An unsignificant tendency to overestimate the absolute risk (p=0,08) and a significant underestimation of comparative risk (p<0.001) appear. The inaccuracy of the perception of absolute risk is associated with greater distress (β=0.150) and a lower educational level (β=-0.164), while the comparative risk is associated with higher knowledge (β=0.208), higher level of education (β=0.176) and a younger age (β=-0.151). Living in couple is a factor of inaccuracy of both form of risk assessment (β=0.189, β=0.147). While the adequacy of the perceived risk of carrying a mutation in a BRCA1 /2 should promote an informed decision about genetic testing and anticipation of its outcome, a large number of consultants does not apprehend this risk correctly when they have emotional distress and despite knowledge of the risk of breast cancer.