Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Introduction: Cancer screening of high-risk individuals for predisposition genes (e.g., BRCA1/2), is critical for early detection, risk reduction, and cascade testing for at-risk relatives. Yet, racial disparities across the genetics service pathway limit access to high-risk cancer screening and prevention, negatively impacting health outcomes. Limited efforts in Canada to identify racial disparities impedes the development and implementation of interventions. Aim: We aim to explore the experiences, needs, barriers, and enablers to accessing cancer genetics services by racialized and ethnic communities. Methods: Semi-structured interviews are being conducted with racialized patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in cancer genetics care in Ontario. Analysis follows an interpretive description approach. Results: To date, we have interviewed 11 racialized patients, 7 with a personal and/or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 10 HCPs (target: 30 patients, 20 HCPs). Patients and HCPs noted socioeconomic status and geographic location as intersecting factors limiting access to genetics care. Patients felt the need to self-advocate when obtaining a referral, while referring HCPs noted unclear eligibility criteria. Both discussed difficulties during family history collection due to missing information or lack of family health information sharing. HCPs discussed the importance of cultural awareness regarding family dynamics, and suggested mainstreaming, genetic testing initiated by a non-genetics specialist, to improve access. Conclusion: Racialized communities face multi-level, intersectional barriers to accessing cancer genetics services including limited genetics knowledge and incomplete family histories. Strategies to improve access include mainstreaming and increased HCP cultural awareness. This work will be used to co-design interventions to reduce disparities, with implications for racialized individuals with BRCA1/2 mutations.