Peruvian cancer families navigate genetic testing through faith and community support

Peruvian patients and families approached hereditary cancer genetic testing through a combination of faith, family networks, neighborhood support and substantial gaps in formal assistance, according to a qualitative study of 15 people interviewed in their homes. The phenomenological study identified four interconnected themes: a diagnosis that brought shock and fear but also strengthened faith and family connections; the physical and mental burden of cancer; shortfalls in financial and institutional support; and resilience expressed through faith, responsibility to relatives and forward-looking hope. Hereditary cancer syndromes are driven by germline, or likely pathogenic, variants and account for an estimated 5–10% of cancers worldwide.

In Peru, genetic testing is available through private laboratories and, for vulnerable populations, free of charge at the National Cancer Institute. Little was known about how patients, families and communities engage with hereditary cancer testing and diagnosis. The study therefore examined the experiences of people already connected with a Peruvian hereditary cancer cohort, focusing on engagement with testing, follow-up care and support rather than measuring testing uptake, survival or the effectiveness of a clinical intervention.

Researchers identified 19 eligible individuals from the previous cohort, and 15 participated in semi-structured, in-person home interviews. The participants had a median age of 31 years, ranging from 27 to 53; 80% were women, and 33.3% had a personal history of cancer. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and pseudonymized.

The researchers then used reflective thematic analysis to identify recurring experiences related to genetic services, surveillance, follow-up care and potential research participation. Participants described hereditary cancer diagnosis as a source of shock and fear, but also as a catalyst for faith and stronger family connection. Cancer’s physical and mental toll disrupted daily life, while marked gaps in financial and institutional support left families and neighborhoods functioning as primary support networks.

Participants also described a determination to “stay strong,” drawing resilience from faith, responsibility toward relatives and a forward-looking outlook. According to the study, these dynamics shaped how participants accessed and remained engaged with genetic services and surveillance, as well as their openness to potential research involvement. The findings show how social relationships and practical constraints can operate alongside formal health services in shaping this engagement, without establishing a causal effect on clinical outcomes.

The authors conclude that co-designing hereditary cancer services and research with patients, families and communities may strengthen engagement, improve cascade testing and surveillance, and advance more equitable cancer prevention across Latin America. That proposal is informed by participants’ experiences, but the evidence is qualitative and focused on a small, selected group drawn from an existing cohort. Most participants were women, and the interviews were conducted in Peru, limiting how broadly the results can be generalized.

The study does not show that faith- or family-based support improves survival, increases testing uptake or produces better surveillance outcomes. Instead, it documents the emotional, social and institutional conditions that shape engagement with hereditary cancer genetic services among the people interviewed and identifies co-design with affected communities as a potential direction for future services and research.

Subject of Research: Peruvian experiences of hereditary cancer genetic testing, follow-up care and community support

Article Title: Community, family and patient engagement with hereditary cancer genetic testing: a qualitative study from Peru

Article References: Bazalar-Palacios, J., Kohut, K., Palacios, M., Zevallos-Escobar, L. E., Vásquez Corales, E., Dueñas, M., Purizaca-Rosillo, N., De la Torre-Hernandez, C. A., Soria, M., Alegre, I., Rabanal, M., Roque-Benites, R., Alvarez, K., Dominguez-Barrera, C., Bazo-Alvarez, J. C., Dominguez-Valentin, M., PREONCO (Peruvian Oncology Group), Menendez Colque, H. F., Flores Berrospi, M. C., … Anaya, C. (2026). Community, family and patient engagement with hereditary cancer genetic testing: a qualitative study from Peru. BMC Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-026-16879-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12885-026-16879-2

Keywords: hereditary cancer, genetic testing, Peru, patient engagement, family support, faith, community health, qualitative research, cancer care, Latin America, Community, family