This pilot clinical trial studies a culturally-informed counseling intervention in Latinas at high risk for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. A culturally-informed counseling intervention may be an effective method to help people learn more about their cancer risk.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To conduct a randomized trial of a culturally-informed pre-genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) telephone intervention.

II. To evaluate the effect of the pre-GCRA intervention versus a time and attention control versus standard scheduling procedure alone (usual care) on levels of anxiety, perceived personal control and cancer genetics knowledge.

III. To explore patients' experiences with the pre-GCRA intervention through post-intervention telephone interviews.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To explore patients' perceived barriers to GCRA through no-show telephone interviews.

OUTLINE:

Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms.

ARM I: Patients receive a culturally-informed adapted motivational interviewing telephone call.

ARM II: Patients participate in a controlled condition comprising a health habits intervention group.

ARM III: Patients receive usual care comprising a standard scheduling phone call and proceed with normal GCRA process. All patients are mailed standard new patient packets containing questionnaires on demographics and personal health history, and a family history form. All patients then undergo genetic cancer risk assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who have a personal history of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer; a subset of 60 women without a personal history of hereditary or ovarian cancer will be included in an exploratory subset analysis
• Meet NCCN criteria for consideration of genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer
• Willing to sign consent
• Pregnant women and women of child-bearing potential are eligible for participation in this study
• Women who report themselves to be of Latino or Hispanic ethnic background (defined as Spanish, Mexican, Central or South American, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, or other Hispanic origin)
• Women who are under- or uninsured and come from low-income communities
• Ability to understand English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous participation in GCRA