A qualitative study of the experiences of patients with prostate cancer when receiving negative genetic results: “I still don't have a grasp of what it all means”

Germline genetic testing has been increasingly conducted for treatment implications in patients with prostate cancer due to the expansion of testing eligibility. Understanding patients' comprehension of genetic results is crucial for establishing effective result disclosure practices. This importance has grown due to the increasing prevalence of negative genetic results being conveyed via electronic communication and by providers without a genetics specialization. This study explores patients with prostate cancer's perceptions of genetic results communication. We analyzed 24 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with patients with prostate cancer at an urban safety-net hospital who had genetic results documented in their medical records. Interview questions focused on patient experiences with genetic referrals, genetic counseling, and genetic result disclosure. Audio recordings were professionally transcribed and analyzed by the study team utilizing an inductive thematic approach to generate themes from recurring codes. Of those who participated, 18 were interviewed in English, 5 in Spanish, and 1 in Haitian Creole. No participants reported having a pathogenic variant identified with genetic testing. Study participants identified a number of gaps in results communication which led to misconceptions regarding hereditary cancer risk. Three themes were generated: (1) Patients desired clear communication about the next steps after genetic testing, (2) Patients commonly experienced cognitive dissonance with negative genetic results given personal and family history of cancer, and (3) Patients felt reassurance from negative genetic results. This research suggests that maintaining conversations between patients and healthcare providers alongside the delivery of negative results assists in patient comprehension. Additionally, it is essential to evaluate the accessibility and appropriateness of notes and results sent to patients. Ultimately, understanding communication barriers in genetic results return is imperative in order to provide high-quality genetic care.