365 Communication about Genetic Testing to Adult Women with a Higher Risk of Cancer in the United States: A Cross-sectional Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey (2017-2020)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of communication sources about genetic testing among adult women with a higher risk of cancer in the U.S. and identify factors associated with these communication sources by analyzing the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS; 2017-2020) data, a large, nationally representative sample. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: HINTS aims to gain knowledge about the use of and access to cancer information by the public. Used data was collected between 2017 and 2020 from a sample of adult participants who self-reported as female, aged 18+, having no personal cancer diagnosis, and having a family history of cancer. The primary outcome measure is source of communication about genetic testing. Some categories are the media, family members, or a healthcare professional. Analytical approaches include the Pearsons Chi-squared test and poisson regression model to estimate prevalence ratios and examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and sources of communication, adjusting for clinical and health belief factors as covariates. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This study is in progress. It is anticipated that the most overall prevalent method of communication about genetic testing will be via the media. In multivariate models, it is anticipated that women who are younger, Black, have a lower education, have lower income, and no health insurance are more likely to receive communication about genetic testing from a source other than a health professional or not at all. After adjusting for clinical and health belief factors such as co-morbid conditions, having a primary care physician, and general knowledge about genetic testing, there may be some association between the above mentioned sociodemographic factors and receiving communication about genetic testing via a healthcare professional. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Reporting on the association between sociodemographic factors and sources of communication can aid in an intervention design to better promote genetic testing. This can be most beneficial among vulnerable groups like Black women to better understand their own genetic risk of cancer and to make informed decisions about their health.