Awareness of hereditary breast cancer and readiness for genetic testing among newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a multicentre study.
11 affiliations
- 1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
- 2African Research Group for Oncology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
- 3Department of General Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - University Health Network, 700 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada.
- 4Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- 5Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
- 6Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
- 7Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- 8Department of Surgery, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- 9Department of Biostatistics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- 10Department of General Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - University Health Network, 700 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada. [email protected].
- 11Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants account for up to 11% of breast cancer (BC) cases in Nigeria, approximately twice the prevalence reported in high-income populations. However, access to hereditary cancer services remains limited and patient awareness is largely uncharacterized. Prior studies have assessed knowledge of genetic testing among healthy populations or following structured genetic counselling, but none have evaluated baseline awareness at the point of clinical diagnosis. This multicentre study measured baseline awareness of hereditary BC and willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 testing among patients newly diagnosed with BC at three tertiary hospitals, as a pre-implementation evaluation for hereditary cancer services in this setting.Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study of 230 newly diagnosed patients with histologically confirmed invasive BC recruited between March 2022 and October 2023 at three tertiary teaching hospitals in Nigeria (Osun, Kwara, and Ebonyi States, representing the South West, North Central, and South East geopolitical zones). A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of BC risk factors and symptoms, recognition of hereditary BC, awareness of BRCA1/2, and willingness to undergo germline testing and engage in family disclosure. Factors associated with knowledge and willingness were examined via univariable and multivariable regression.Results
The median age was 47 years; 66.5% were of low socioeconomic status, and 33.0% had a tertiary education. Most patients presented with advanced disease (stage III/IV: 73.0%), and among those with available data, 76.3% had triple-negative BC. Recognition that BC can be hereditary was limited (55.6%, 95% CI 49.1-61.9%), and prior awareness of BRCA1/2 was extremely low (4.8%; 95% CI 2.7-8.4%). According to the multivariable analysis, recognition of hereditary BC was independently associated with education (p < 0.001) and hospital centre (p = 0.024). Despite limited genetic literacy, willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 genetic testing was high (95.7%), with most participants willing to inform siblings (94.8%) and encourage genetic testing for family members (96.1%).Conclusions
Among newly diagnosed patients with BC across three Nigerian tertiary centres, awareness of hereditary BC and BRCA1/2 was low, yet willingness to undergo genetic testing was near-universal. Together with previously reported provider readiness, these findings point to service availability rather than patient or provider attitudes as the principal barrier to introducing hereditary BC services in Nigeria. As these services are being developed in Nigeria and comparable settings across sub-Saharan Africa, the corresponding priority will be to design consent pathways, patient-facing education materials, and provider training that addresses the gap between patient willingness and genetic literacy.
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BibTeX
@article{wuraola2026awareness,
title = {{Awareness of hereditary breast cancer and readiness for genetic testing among newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a multicentre study.}},
author = {Funmilola O Wuraola and Jenine Ramruthan and Victoria L Mango and Nneka Sunday-Nweke and Olayide Agodirin and Anna Dare and Adewale A Aderounmu and Mary Ogunyemi and Boladuro Olawale and Saheed Lawal and Anna T Santiago and Olalekan Olasehinde and Adewale O Adisa and Emma Reel and Olusegun I Alatise and Tulin D Cil},
journal = {Hereditary cancer in clinical practice},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s13053-026-00349-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907996},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Awareness of hereditary breast cancer and readiness for genetic testing among newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer in Nigeria: a multicentre study.
AU - Funmilola O Wuraola
AU - Jenine Ramruthan
AU - Victoria L Mango
AU - Nneka Sunday-Nweke
AU - Olayide Agodirin
AU - Anna Dare
AU - Adewale A Aderounmu
AU - Mary Ogunyemi
AU - Boladuro Olawale
AU - Saheed Lawal
AU - Anna T Santiago
AU - Olalekan Olasehinde
AU - Adewale O Adisa
AU - Emma Reel
AU - Olusegun I Alatise
AU - Tulin D Cil
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Hereditary cancer in clinical practice
DO - 10.1186/s13053-026-00349-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907996
AB - Background Germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants account for up to 11% of breast cancer (BC) cases in Nigeria, approximately twice the prevalence reported in high-income populations. However, access to hereditary cancer services remains limited and patient awareness is largely uncharacterized. Prior studies have assessed knowledge of genetic testing among healthy populations or following structured genetic counselling, but none have evaluated baseline awareness at the point of clinical diagnosis. This multicentre study measured baseline awareness of hereditary BC and willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 testing among patients newly diagnosed with BC at three tertiary hospitals, as a pre-implementation evaluation for hereditary cancer services in this setting.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study of 230 newly diagnosed patients with histologically confirmed invasive BC recruited between March 2022 and October 2023 at three tertiary teaching hospitals in Nigeria (Osun, Kwara, and Ebonyi States, representing the South West, North Central, and South East geopolitical zones). A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of BC risk factors and symptoms, recognition of hereditary BC, awareness of BRCA1/2, and willingness to undergo germline testing and engage in family disclosure. Factors associated with knowledge and willingness were examined via univariable and multivariable regression.Results The median age was 47 years; 66.5% were of low socioeconomic status, and 33.0% had a tertiary education. Most patients presented with advanced disease (stage III/IV: 73.0%), and among those with available data, 76.3% had triple-negative BC. Recognition that BC can be hereditary was limited (55.6%, 95% CI 49.1-61.9%), and prior awareness of BRCA1/2 was extremely low (4.8%; 95% CI 2.7-8.4%). According to the multivariable analysis, recognition of hereditary BC was independently associated with education (p < 0.001) and hospital centre (p = 0.024). Despite limited genetic literacy, willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 genetic testing was high (95.7%), with most participants willing to inform siblings (94.8%) and encourage genetic testing for family members (96.1%).Conclusions Among newly diagnosed patients with BC across three Nigerian tertiary centres, awareness of hereditary BC and BRCA1/2 was low, yet willingness to undergo genetic testing was near-universal. Together with previously reported provider readiness, these findings point to service availability rather than patient or provider attitudes as the principal barrier to introducing hereditary BC services in Nigeria. As these services are being developed in Nigeria and comparable settings across sub-Saharan Africa, the corresponding priority will be to design consent pathways, patient-facing education materials, and provider training that addresses the gap between patient willingness and genetic literacy.
SN - 1731-2302
SN - 1897-4287
ER -