Breast cancer patients tend to overestimate the “truth-value” of gene expression profile (GEP) tests by placing too much confidence in the tests’ validity due to their own emotional needs at the time, according to a study published in Current Oncology. The authors say the study’s findings point to the need to improve patient understanding of these tests and their limitations, given the impact of test results on clinical decisions. Several GEP tests have been validated as prognostic for distant disease recurrence and predictive of the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with estrogen receptor–positive disease. These test results affect treatment decisions both recommended by oncologists as well as patient preferences. The study relied on focus group (n = 4) and individual telephone interviews (n = 24) with early-stage breast cancer patients who used GEP testing conducted using semistructured discussion guidelines. The researchers found that most patients (68 percent) did not undergo chemotherapy, largely because of the GEP test results. Patients’ understanding of GEP testing was variable, and misapprehensions were common, including about how laboratories conduct analysis. Participants understood that the test would indicate whether chemotherapy would be beneficial in their care but generally did not understand that their results were […]