Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers
Abstract Background The role of genetics in breast cancer management is becoming increasingly essential in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Harmonized Guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for SSA outline the subset of patients requiring genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13053-025-00315-w |
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| author | Funmilola Olanike Wuraola Anna Dare Jenine Ramruthan Emma Reel Anna T. Santiago Folorunso Sharif Agodirin Olayide Nneka Sunday-Nweke Olusegun Alatise Tulin D. Cil |
| author_facet | Funmilola Olanike Wuraola Anna Dare Jenine Ramruthan Emma Reel Anna T. Santiago Folorunso Sharif Agodirin Olayide Nneka Sunday-Nweke Olusegun Alatise Tulin D. Cil |
| author_sort | Funmilola Olanike Wuraola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The role of genetics in breast cancer management is becoming increasingly essential in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Harmonized Guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for SSA outline the subset of patients requiring genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer as part of their treatment plan. However, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, access to genetic counselling and testing remains limited. Additionally, the knowledge and acceptability of these available services from the healthcare provider (HCP) perspective are largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of hereditary breast cancer testing among HCPs in Nigeria. Methods In June 2022, we conducted a survey among 549 Nigerian HCPs. The 35-item survey was administered using Google Forms and distributed via WhatsApp. The survey collected demographic data and included three sections on genetic testing in breast cancer patients, focusing on knowledge, perceptions, and training. Results The results were analyzed using R Version 4.4.1 (R Core Team). Altogether 121 HCPs responded (22% response rate): 54 (44.6%) general surgeons, 4 (3.3%) breast surgical oncologists, 29 (24.0%) clinical and radiation oncologists, 31(25.6%) oncology nurses, and 3 (2.5%) breast radiologists. The survey results indicate that Nigerian HCPs were knowledgeable about hereditary breast cancer genetics, but the implementation of counselling and testing was low. Only 32.2% of respondents had requested genetic testing for their patients, and all testing was done through private laboratories. Only 9.9% had received formal clinical genetics training, and 13.2% reported having a genetic counsellor in their hospital. There was considerable interest in future genetics training programs using in person and online teaching modalities. Conclusion This survey highlights the need for specialized breast cancer genetic training tailored for Nigerian HCPs, which is essential in achieving breast cancer treatment parity. Addressing the substantial challenges in expanding genetic testing capacity in Nigeria is warranted for future progress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90fc0ae85acc4e919e90fbb2aca26265 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1897-4287 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-90fc0ae85acc4e919e90fbb2aca262652025-08-20T03:54:10ZengBMCHereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice1897-42872025-05-012311810.1186/s13053-025-00315-wKnowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providersFunmilola Olanike Wuraola0Anna Dare1Jenine Ramruthan2Emma Reel3Anna T. Santiago4Folorunso Sharif5Agodirin Olayide6Nneka Sunday-Nweke7Olusegun Alatise8Tulin D. Cil9Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo UniversityDepartment of Surgery and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoDepartment of General Surgery, University Health NetworkDepartment of General Surgery, University Health NetworkDepartment of Biostatistics, University Health NetworkDepartment of Radiology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals ComplexDepartment of Surgery, University of IlorinDepartment of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching HospitalDepartment of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, University Health NetworkAbstract Background The role of genetics in breast cancer management is becoming increasingly essential in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Harmonized Guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for SSA outline the subset of patients requiring genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer as part of their treatment plan. However, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, access to genetic counselling and testing remains limited. Additionally, the knowledge and acceptability of these available services from the healthcare provider (HCP) perspective are largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of hereditary breast cancer testing among HCPs in Nigeria. Methods In June 2022, we conducted a survey among 549 Nigerian HCPs. The 35-item survey was administered using Google Forms and distributed via WhatsApp. The survey collected demographic data and included three sections on genetic testing in breast cancer patients, focusing on knowledge, perceptions, and training. Results The results were analyzed using R Version 4.4.1 (R Core Team). Altogether 121 HCPs responded (22% response rate): 54 (44.6%) general surgeons, 4 (3.3%) breast surgical oncologists, 29 (24.0%) clinical and radiation oncologists, 31(25.6%) oncology nurses, and 3 (2.5%) breast radiologists. The survey results indicate that Nigerian HCPs were knowledgeable about hereditary breast cancer genetics, but the implementation of counselling and testing was low. Only 32.2% of respondents had requested genetic testing for their patients, and all testing was done through private laboratories. Only 9.9% had received formal clinical genetics training, and 13.2% reported having a genetic counsellor in their hospital. There was considerable interest in future genetics training programs using in person and online teaching modalities. Conclusion This survey highlights the need for specialized breast cancer genetic training tailored for Nigerian HCPs, which is essential in achieving breast cancer treatment parity. Addressing the substantial challenges in expanding genetic testing capacity in Nigeria is warranted for future progress.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13053-025-00315-wHereditary genetic testingBreast cancerHealthcare providersLow-and middle-income countries |
| spellingShingle | Funmilola Olanike Wuraola Anna Dare Jenine Ramruthan Emma Reel Anna T. Santiago Folorunso Sharif Agodirin Olayide Nneka Sunday-Nweke Olusegun Alatise Tulin D. Cil Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice Hereditary genetic testing Breast cancer Healthcare providers Low-and middle-income countries |
| title | Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers |
| title_full | Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers |
| title_short | Knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a survey of healthcare providers |
| title_sort | knowledge and perceptions of genetic testing for patients with breast cancer in nigeria a survey of healthcare providers |
| topic | Hereditary genetic testing Breast cancer Healthcare providers Low-and middle-income countries |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13053-025-00315-w |
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