When genomic and standard test results diverge: implications for breast cancer patients' preference for chemotherapy

We examined how women incorporate potentially differing genomic and standard assessments of breast cancer recurrence risk into chemotherapy decisions.

165 women previously treated for early-stage breast cancer indicated their interest in chemotherapy regimens to prevent recurrence of breast cancer in response to six hypothetical vignettes that presented breast cancer recurrence risk estimates from standard criteria and a genomic test, some of which were discordant.

Standard and genomic test results each elicited greater interest in chemotherapy when they indicated high rather than low risk for recurrence (89% vs. 26%, and 87% vs. 22%, respectively, Ps < 0.001). Genomic test results had a larger impact on chemotherapy preferences than standard measures to predict recurrence.

Some women may be reluctant to forgo chemotherapy when genomic tests indicate low recurrence risk but standard criteria suggest high risk. Additional research including replication of the findings of this small, vignette-based study is needed.