Decisions and Outcomes of BRCA1/2 Test for Breast Patients

This prospective, longitudinal study will examine decision-making about pre-surgery BRCA1/2 testing and the medical, psychosocial, and economic outcomes of testing among newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients who are at high risk for having a BRCA1/2 mutation. The theoretical framework for this investigation is derived from Expected Utility Theory. The specific aims are: 1) to establish rates of uptake of BRCA1/2 testing prior to surgical treatment for breast cancer, and to identify the determinants of the decision to be tested; 2) to evaluate the impact of BRCA1/2 testing on patients' surgical treatment choices; 2) to evaluate the impact of pre-surgery BRCA1 testing on psychosocial well-being; and 4) to develop a model to estimate the costs of BRCA1/2 testing for newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients per quality-adjusted life years saved. (Co-funded with NCI. Member of CGSC)