Direct letters to relatives at risk of hereditary cancer-a randomised trial on healthcare-assisted versus family-mediated risk disclosure.

ABSTRACT: Observational studies suggest that direct contact from healthcare to at-risk relatives may increase genetic counselling (GC) uptake as compared to family-mediated risk disclosure, but randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. This study assessed whether the offer of direct letters to relatives at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) or Lynch syndrome increases GC uptake compared to family-mediated communication alone. Between 2020 and 2023, probands were randomly assigned to family-mediated disclosure (control) or family-mediated disclosure plus the offer of sending direct letters to at-risk relatives (intervention). The primary outcome was GC uptake within 12 months, measured as the proportion of eligible relatives at risk contacting a Swedish cancer genetics clinic.

SUBMITTER: Ehrencrona H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12480553 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature