OBJECTIVE: To describe awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about genetic testing for cancer risk among the general public. RESULTS: Thirty-eight adults participated in focus groups in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Participants' beliefs about what genetic testing is ranged from 'dianetics' to an accurate description of DNA analysis. Themes included misconceptions about genetic tests, the ability to gain control of one's life through genetic testing, anxiety that might be caused by testing, risk of insurance and employment discrimination, use of genetic information for racial or ethnic discrimination, concerns about medical information confidentiality and lack of informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was some accurate understanding of what genetic testing is and how the results could be used, there also exist significant misconceptions. In many cases, misconceptions may be barriers to uptake of genetic testing. Dispelling these misconceptions is an important step in the translation of advances in human genomics into improvements in health.
OBJECTIVE: To describe awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about genetic testing for cancer risk among the general public. RESULTS: Thirty-eight adults participated in focus groups in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Participants' beliefs about what genetic testing is ranged from 'dianetics' to an accurate description of DNA analysis. Themes included misconceptions about genetic tests, the ability to gain control of one's life through genetic testing, anxiety that might be caused by testing, risk of insurance and employment discrimination, use of genetic information for racial or ethnic discrimination, concerns about medical information confidentiality and lack of informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was some accurate understanding of what genetic testing is and how the results could be used, there also exist significant misconceptions. In many cases, misconceptions may be barriers to uptake of genetic testing. Dispelling these misconceptions is an important step in the translation of advances in human genomics into improvements in health.
Entities:
Keywords:
Empirical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction
Authors: Reshma Jagsi; Kent A Griffith; Allison W Kurian; Monica Morrow; Ann S Hamilton; John J Graff; Steven J Katz; Sarah T Hawley Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2015-04-06 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Sara M Fitzgerald-Butt; Jennifer Klima; Kelly Kelleher; Deena Chisolm; Kim L McBride Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2014-09-24 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Carin R Huizenga; Katrina Lowstuter; Kimberly C Banks; Veronica I Lagos; Virginia O Vandergon; Jeffrey N Weitzel Journal: Fam Cancer Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 2.375
Authors: Kara-Grace Leventhal; William Tuong; Beth N Peshkin; Yasmin Salehizadeh; Mary B Fishman; Susan Eggly; Kevin FitzGerald; Marc D Schwartz; Kristi D Graves Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2012-08-22 Impact factor: 2.537