Psychosocial and Quality of Life in Women Receiving the 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay : The Impact of Decision Style in Women with Intermediate RS

Abstract EN

Multigene assays such as the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) quantify risk for recurrence and potential benefit from chemotherapy in early-stage, ER+ breast cancers.

Few studies have assessed the impact of testing on patient-reported outcomes such as cancer-related distress or quality of life.

The few studies that have assessed these outcomes do not consider potential modifiers, such as the patients’ level of involvement in the treatment decision-making process.

In the current study, 81 breast cancer patients who received the RS assay completed cross-sectional surveys.

We used linear multiple regression to assess whether test result, decision-making role (passive versus shared/active), and their interaction contributed to current levels of distress, quality of life, and decisional conflict.

There were no associations between these variables and test result or decision-making role.

However, women who received an intermediate RS and took a passive role in their care reported higher-cancer-related distress and cancer worry and lower quality of life than those who took a shared or active role.

These data should be confirmed in prospective samples, as these poorer outcomes could be amenable to intervention.