Grant Details
Grant Number: |
1R01CA242750-01A1 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
O'Neill, Suzanne |
Organization: |
Georgetown University |
Project Title: |
Peer Support for Young Adult Women with High Breast Cancer Risk |
Fiscal Year: |
2020 |
Abstract
BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have highly elevated odds of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, as
may their first- and second-degree relatives. The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine’s
Genomics and Population Health Action Collaborative highlights the testing of carriers’ relatives and their uptake
of screening and risk-reducing surgeries as a primary way that genetics can contribute to the reduction of
population cancer burden. Patterns of testing over the past decade have shifted to include more younger and
cancer-unaffected women to capitalize on this cancer prevention opportunity. However, interventions have not
kept pace with this changing landscape, as there are currently no funded trials that meet the unique clinical,
developmental and psychological needs of young adult relatives (YARs) of mutation carriers. Our pilot data
suggests that YARs report high levels of distress and desire to seek HBOC risk information and emotional
support beyond their healthcare providers and families—especially support from knowledgeable peers who can
relate to their experiences and offer neutral grounding and objective guidance about coping strategies. Peer
support is a promising psychosocial cancer care approach that could fill this void. However, few evidence-based
standards inform its practice. In response to this cancer control challenge, we developed a new, fully
manualized/scripted intervention for YARs called “Peers and Cancer Empowerment” (PeACE). PeACE is
grounded in evidence-based psychosocial telephone counseling protocols for HBOC distress reduction. We
adapted those protocols for our target population through a systematic approach without contradicting their core
features. PeACE includes streamlined telephone counseling delivered by well-trained community peer coaches.
Session content incorporates coping training for HBOC stress reduction, and decision making and problem
solving training about confronting and managing cancer risk. We will rigorously test PeACE’s efficacy in an RCT
to improve HBOC-related outcomes for YARs. Trial participants are randomized to an intervention or equated
control condition, and followed for up to 12 months. We hypothesize that PeACE better reduces cancer-specific
and general distress, uncertainty, and decision conflict, as well as increased uptake of genetic counseling. This
innovative project expands capacity to address psychological distress management and related outcomes in
persons living with HBOC risk.
Publications
None