# Trial of strategies to communicate genetic information to different ethnic and racial subpopulations

> **NIH NIH U54** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $467,173

## Abstract

Abstract – Project 3 
Advances in genomic technology have now enabled massively parallel sequencing of multiple putative cancer 
genes. Although progress on the technical side of genetic testing has been rapid, clinician understanding of the 
results of next generation sequencing genetic testing and communication of results accurately and effectively 
to patients has lagged. In turn, the patient's ability to understand the results, communicate them to family 
members or significant others, and make informed decisions about screening or preventive options is less than 
optimal. Studies suggest that attitudes towards genetic risks and related communication vary significantly 
across race and ethnicity. In spite of its obvious importance, studies of this dynamic process of communication 
and understanding of genetic information in the current context of sequencing based results are limited and 
they are rare in racial/ethnic minorities. We propose a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, two-site study (Stanford 
University Health Alliance and University of Southern California Los Angeles County Hospital) of how breast 
cancer genetic risk information is communicated to Hispanic, Chinese and Non-Hispanic White women, what 
they understand, how they respond and with whom they share this information. We will concurrently trace the 
patient longitudinally over a one-year period to determine what health decisions they make related to their 
cancer risk. We have the following specific aims. 
Specific Aim 1: To assess genomic confidence of clinicians communicating genetic test results and 
genetic risk information on breast cancer to the diverse patients in both study sites. 
Specific Aim 2: To audiotape the information that clinicians communicate during the clinical encounter 
in delivering genetic test results to diverse patients and to assess whether the information that is 
provided to patients differs by patient ethnicity, health literacy, and study site. 
Specific Aim 3: To assess the correspondence between the recommendations of doctors and the 
subsequent actions of patients over a one-year period and whether this correspondence differs by 
ethnicity, health literacy, and study sites. 
Specific Aim 4: To identify if/when patients share their personal genetic risk information with family 
member(s) and to what extent this process is influenced by ethnicity, health literacy, and study sites. 
Our proposed study will fill an important and growing knowledge gap about how ethnic minorities utilize and if 
they benefit from cancer genetic risk information and related recommendations. Findings from this study will be 
critical and lead to a better understanding of how to culturally adapt precision medicine recommendations to 
best provide high-quality care for diverse populations and thereby mitigate health disparities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9896678
- **Project number:** 5U54MD010724-05
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** VYJEYANTHI S PERIYAKOIL
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $467,173
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9896678

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9896678, Trial of strategies to communicate genetic information to different ethnic and racial subpopulations (5U54MD010724-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9896678. Licensed CC0.

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