Oncologists report racial disparities in perceived barriers to genetic counseling and testing (GCT) for patients with breast cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Investigators surveyed 277 US breast oncologists about their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers in providing GCT. While only 1.8% of respondents indicated they were more likely to refer a White patient than refer a Black patient for GCT, 66.9% believed that Black women with breast cancer have lower rates of GCT than White women. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, or 63.4%, indicated that Black women face more barriers than White women, and 21.0% felt that Black women require more information and guidance during the GCT decision-making process than White women. Overall, 32.0% of respondents indicated that lack of trust was a barrier to GCT in all patients, but 58.1% felt this was a greater barrier for Black women. Additionally, 13.9% of respondents believed that noncompliance with GCT is a barrier for all patients.
