Attitudes toward preimplantation genetic testing and quality of life among individuals with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome Journal Article


Authors: Shah, I. H.; Salo-Mullen, E. E.; Amoroso, K. A.; Kelsen, D.; Stadler, Z. K.; Hamilton, J. G.
Article Title: Attitudes toward preimplantation genetic testing and quality of life among individuals with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome
Abstract: Background: Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer predisposition associated with germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene. Identifying early stage HDGC is difficult, and prophylactic measures can be effective in preventing incidence. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can provide information about CDH1 variant status, HDGC risk, and limit familial transmission of CDH1 variants. To date, however, little is known about the attitudes of individuals with CDH1 variants towards PGT. Methods: Given that little is known about the reproductive attitudes of individuals with HDGC, we recruited participants with CDH1 variants from a familial gastric cancer registry and administered a cross-sectional survey with open- and closed-ended response items. We assessed attitudes regarding PGT and the effect of HDGC on quality of life. Results: Participants (n = 21) were predominantly partnered (61.9%), had a personal cancer history (71.4%), and had biological children (71.4%). Interest in learning about PGT was high; 66.7% of participants were interested in PGT and 90.5% approved of healthcare providers discussing PGT with individuals with CDH1 variants. Attitudes regarding personal use were varied. Among all participants, 35% would not, 25% were uncertain, and 40% would use PGT. Personal philosophy and preferences for family and reproduction were key factors related to PGT attitudes. HDGC had moderate effects on participants’ quality of life, including social relationships, health behaviors, and emotional experiences including worry about cancer risk and guilt regarding familial implications. Conclusion: PGT was identified by participants as acceptable for use in a variety of contexts and benefits of reproductive counseling involving PGT may extend beyond CDH1 carriers to family members’ reproductive behaviors. Dispositions towards PGT are governed by personal philosophy or belief systems. These findings can help guide providers counseling individuals with CDH1 variants. © 2022, The Author(s).
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; cancer risk; counseling; gene; quality of life; genetic variability; health behavior; risk; health care personnel; cancer registry; patient attitude; learning; reproduction; guilt; hereditary diffuse gastric cancer; social interaction; cancer; human; male; female; article; reproductive behavior; hereditary gastric cancer; cdh1 gene; inherited cancer syndrome; preimplantation genetic testing; preimplantation genetic screening
Journal Title: Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice
Volume: 20
ISSN: 1731-2302
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.  
Date Published: 2022-09-02
Start Page: 31
Language: English
DOI: 10.1186/s13053-022-00239-9
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9440538
PUBMED: 36056367
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 October 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Zsofia Kinga Stadler
    391 Stadler
  2. David P Kelsen
    537 Kelsen
  3. Jada Gabrielle Hamilton
    111 Hamilton
  4. Kimberly A Amoroso
    12 Amoroso
  5. Ibrahim Hussein Shah
    8 Shah