Knowledge and attitudes of gynecologists regarding genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

In a survey we investigated whether gynecologists are sufficiently knowledgeable to perform genetic counseling. It provides information for the development and evaluation of a counseling manual for professionals in primary health care. The members of the sample, consisting of 529 gynecologists in northern Germany, were mailed a questionnaire concerning their knowledge of and attitudes towards genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). The response rate was 32.5% (n = 172). The majority of the respondents (82%) have received requests from patients for genetic testing. Most would offer basic genetic counseling to their patients, 66% feel knowledgeable enough to do so. Physicians set high value on communicating clinical management options, but also consider psychosocial aspects to be important. The results suggest that HBOC genetics play a noticeable role in the practice of gynecology in Germany. There is consensus about the need for further educational training to deal with cancer genetics in physicians' daily practice. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.