Awareness and utilization of genetic testing for hereditary cancers in cancer survivors: a cross-sectional 2021 HINTS-SEER study

Sep 28, 2026

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Purpose: Identify factors linked to genetic testing awareness and use among US cancer survivors in the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey, expanded via the HINTS-SEER pilot. Methods: Analyze 2021 HINTS-SEER data and estimate survey-weight-adjusted multivariable logistic regression models for associations with germline genetic testing awareness and utilization. Results: 77% were aware and 24% utilized testing; awareness and use varied by sex and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Multiple sociodemographic factors relate to awareness and utilization, warranting further research on disparities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

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Implications for Cancer Survivors

Introduction

Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript | | HHS Public Access
Author manuscript
J Cancer Surviv. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2025 December 31. | | --- | --- | Awareness and utilization of genetic testing for hereditary cancers in cancer survivors: a cross-sectional 2021 HINTS-SEER study Kirithiga Ramalingam 1,2 , Stephen Li2,3 , Meg McKinley2,3 , Robin C. Vanderpool4 , Sarah H. Nash5 , Salma Shariff-Marco2,3 , Aaron Scheffler2 , Erin L. Van Blarigan2,3 , Mindy C. DeRouen2,3 1 Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 3Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, University of California San Francisco, 550 16. Street, San Francisco, CA \#263694158, USA 4 Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA 5 Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Abstract Purpose: We aimed to identify factors associated with genetic testing awareness and use among a large sample of US cancer survivors participating in NCI’s Health Information National Trends Survey of cancer survivors identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, a unique pilot study expanding the number of cancer survivors typically captured by HINTS. Methods: We analyzed 2021 HINTS-SEER data to determine sociodemographic factors associated with awareness and utilization of germline genetic testing using survey-weight-adjusted multivariable logistic regression. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) . ✉ Mindy C. DeRouen, [mindy.hebert-derouen@ucsf.edu](mindy.hebert-derouen@ucsf.edu). Author Contribution KR, RCV, SHN, SSM, and MCD conceptualized the study. KR led analytic design with support from AS, ELVB, and MCD. SL, MM, and RCB prepared data for analysis. SL conducted analyses and prepared figures. AS, ELVB, and MCD provided study management. KR wrote the initial draft. All authors reviewed the manuscript. Ethics approval Data used in this study were unidentified/de-identified or coded and thus were not subject to IRB approval according to University of California, San Francisco policies. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Ramalingam et al. Page 2 Results: Of 1232 survivors (any site), the majority had breast (23%) or prostate (23%) cancer. Among the overall study population, 77% were aware of and 24% utilized genetic testing. Females and those with a college education, income over $100,000, or family history of cancer had greater odds of awareness compared to males, those with less than college education, income under $20,000, or no family history, respectively. Among prostate cancer survivors, those ≥ 65 years in age had lower odds of awareness. Females and the privately insured had greater odds of

FAQs

What was the goal of the study regarding genetic testing?

The study aimed to identify factors associated with awareness of and utilization of germline genetic testing among a large sample of US cancer survivors.

How were awareness and utilization analyzed?

Using 2021 HINTS-SEER data, the study applied survey-weight-adjusted multivariable logistic regression to assess associations with germline genetic testing awareness and use.

What key differences were found in awareness and utilization rates?

Across the overall population, 77% were aware and 24% utilized genetic testing, with odds differing by sex and sociodemographic and clinical factors such as education, income, and family history.

Sep 28, 2026

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