Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy among diverse patients with BRCA mutations at an urban public hospital: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Objectives To assess the association of socioeconomic demographics with recommendation for and uptake of risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (rrBSO) in patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutations.Design Retrospective cohort, semistructured qualitative interviews.Setting and participants BRCA1/2 mutation carriers at an urban, public hospital with a racially and socioeconomically diverse population.Intervention None.Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcomes were rate of rrBSO recommendation and completion. Secondary outcomes were sociodemographic variables associated with rrBSO completion.Results The cohort included 167 patients with BRCA1/2 mutations of whom 39% identified as black (n=65), 35% white (n=59) and 19% Hispanic (n=32). Over 95% (n=159) received the recommendation for age-appropriate rrBSO, and 52% (n=87) underwent rrBSO. Women who completed rrBSO were older in univariable analysis (p=0.05), but not in multivariable analysis. Completion of rrBSO was associated with residence in zip codes with lower unemployment and documented recommendation for rrBSO (p<0.05). All subjects who still received care in the health system (n=79) were invited to complete interviews regarding rrBSO decision-making, but only four completed surveys for a response rate of 5.1%. Themes that emerged included menopause, emotional impact and familial support.Conclusions In this understudied population, genetic counselling and surrogates of financial health were associated with rrBSO uptake, highlighting genetics referrals and addressing social determinants of health as opportunities to improve cancer prevention and reduce health inequities. Our study demonstrates a need for more culturally centred recruiting methods for qualitative research in marginalised communities to ensure adequate representation in the literature regarding rrBSO.