| Summary: | Genetic testing for
breast and ovarian cancer can help target prevention programs, and possibly
reduce morbidity and mortality. A positive result of BRCA1/2 is a substantial
risk factor for breast and ovarian cancer, and its detection often leads to
risk reduction interventions such as increased screening, prophylactic
mastectomy and oophorectomy. We examined predictors of the decision to undergo
cancer related genetic testing: perceived risk, family risk of breast or
ovarian cancer, and numeracy as predictors of the decision to test among women
at high risk of breast cancer. Stepwise regression analysis of survey responses
from 459 women registered in the Cancer Genetics Network revealed greater
likelihood to test for women with more family history, higher perceived risk of
mutation, or Ashkenazi descent. Neither subjective nor objective numeracy was
associated with the decision to test, although we replicated an earlier finding
that subjective numeracy predicted willingness to pay for testing. Findings
underscore the need for genetic counselling that disentangles risk perception
from objective information to promote better decision-making in the context of
genetic testing. Highlighting these factors is crucial for public health
campaigns, as well as to clinic-based testing and direct-to-consumer
testing.
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