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. 2024 Jun 25;16(13):2324. doi: 10.3390/cancers16132324

Table 1.

Website scoring. Per domain a score between 0–1 can be awarded, up to a maximum score of 5 for all domains combined.

Domain Description of Scoring
Accessibility Count the amount of clicks
  • 0—>3 mouse clicks to find BRCA information

  • 1—≤3 mouse clicks to find BRCA information

Availability of a search bar
  • 0—No search bar

  • 1—Search bar

Score calculation
Score = Sum of the points for the amount of clicks and availibility of a search bar2
Scope Number of questions answered/total number of questions
  • JCOs: Questionnaire A1: questions 2–6, excluding 1 and 7. Score out of 23

  • UKOs: Questionnaire A2: questions 2–6, excluding 1 and 7. Score out of 23

  • GTPs: Questionnaire A3: questions 2–8. Score out of 26

Number of questions answered/total number of questions per section
  • UKO and JCO: Q2: General BRCA info. Score out of 9 (2a–i)

  • GTP: Q7: BRCA information available. Score out of 7 (7a–g)

Score calculation
Score = Number of questions answered yes on Questionnaire A1, A2, or A3Total number of questions in corresponding questionnaire
Depth Included questions:
BRCA-associated cancers
  • 0—Brief or no information: only breast and/or ovarian

  • 1—In depth: includes prostate, pancreas, and/or melanoma

BRCA carrier risk management options
  • 0—Brief or no information: 1–2 options mentioned

  • 1—In depth: all management options (risk-reducing surgery, medication, screening) and/or other options such as lifestyle management

Difference of carrier frequency between AJ and non-AJ populations
  • 0—Brief or no information: mentions difference

  • 1—In depth: provides estimates/numbers

Explanation of BRCA inheritance
  • 0—Brief or no information: Only mentions inheritance

  • 1—In depth: Mentions 50:50/1 in 2 chance and/or dominant inheritance

Increased cancer risks for BRCA carriers
  • 0—Brief or no information: Only brief mention of increased risk of a BRCA-associated cancer or includes general stats for increased risk of a BRCA-associated cancer

  • 1—In depth: Includes statistics or details that differentiate between BRCA1 & BRCA2 risks or includes statistics or details for different BRCA1 & BRCA2 risks for >2 relevant cancers

Signposting to further BRCA information, service, and support resources
  • 0—Brief or no information: to less than or equal to 2 resources

  • 1—In depth: to multiple information/support resources

Score calculation
Score = Number of questions with in depth answers on selected depth questions6
Accuracy * Included questions:
BRCA-associated cancers
  • 0—Inaccurate: any mention of other cancers than the correct ones.

  • 1—Accurate: needs to include breast, ovarian, melanoma, pancreatic or prostate.

BRCA carrier risk management options
  • 0—Inaccurate: wrong management options i.e., for example, screening for ovarian cancer

  • 1—Accurate: appropriate chemoprevention, risk-reducing surgery or screening in line with clinical guidelines

Carrier frequency/prevalence in AJ population
  • 0—Inaccurate: Other than approximately 1:40

  • 1—Accurate: Approximately 1:40

Carrier frequency/prevalence in general population
  • 0—Inaccurate: anything below 1:400

  • 1—Accurate: 1:250 or anything between 1:200—1:300

Increased cancer risks for BRCA carriers female breast cancer and ovarian cancer [1,2,29]
  • 0—Inaccurate: any of the risks quoted fall outside of ranges from the literature

  • 1—Accurate: all risks quoted fall within the ranges from the literature

Increased cancer risks for BRCA carriers male breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma [1,2,29]
  • 0—Inaccurate: any of the risks quoted fall outside of ranges from the literature

  • 1—Accurate: all risks quoted fall within the ranges from the literature

Score calculation
Score = Number of questions with accurate answers on selected accuracy questions5
Quality DISCERN score from final question (Q16).
Score calculation
Score = DISCERN score (Q16)5

* NA was given to websites without information to assess accuracy.