TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic risk, perceived risk, and cancer worry in daughters of breast cancer patients
AU - Quillin, John M.
AU - Bodurtha, Joann N.
AU - McClish, Donna
AU - Wilson, Diane Baer
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - This study explored relationships between worry, perceived risk for breast cancer, consulting a genetic counselor, having genetic testing, and genetic risk for women whose mothers had breast cancer. Analyses involved data from a community-based phone survey of women whose mothers had breast cancer. Participants were categorized as having low, intermediate, or high genetic risk based on their reported family history, in accordance with an accepted classification scheme. The Lerman Breast Cancer Worry Scale measured worry, and participants reported their perceived lifetime likelihood of breast cancer, risk compared to others, and chance from 1 to 100. ANOVA, chi-square, and multiple regression analyses were conducted as appropriate. One hundred-fifty women participated. Mean age was 38 years, and 81% were Caucasian. Fifty-two women had low, 74 had intermediate, and 24 had high genetic risk for breast cancer. There were no significant differences in worry or perceived risk by hereditary risk category. Most high-risk women (91%) had not spoken with a genetic counselor, and no one had previous genetic testing. These findings suggest perceived risk, worry about breast cancer, and use of expert consultation do not match the genetic contribution to risk. There is a need for effectively stratifying and communicating risk in the community and providing tailored reassurance or referral for high-risk assessment.
AB - This study explored relationships between worry, perceived risk for breast cancer, consulting a genetic counselor, having genetic testing, and genetic risk for women whose mothers had breast cancer. Analyses involved data from a community-based phone survey of women whose mothers had breast cancer. Participants were categorized as having low, intermediate, or high genetic risk based on their reported family history, in accordance with an accepted classification scheme. The Lerman Breast Cancer Worry Scale measured worry, and participants reported their perceived lifetime likelihood of breast cancer, risk compared to others, and chance from 1 to 100. ANOVA, chi-square, and multiple regression analyses were conducted as appropriate. One hundred-fifty women participated. Mean age was 38 years, and 81% were Caucasian. Fifty-two women had low, 74 had intermediate, and 24 had high genetic risk for breast cancer. There were no significant differences in worry or perceived risk by hereditary risk category. Most high-risk women (91%) had not spoken with a genetic counselor, and no one had previous genetic testing. These findings suggest perceived risk, worry about breast cancer, and use of expert consultation do not match the genetic contribution to risk. There is a need for effectively stratifying and communicating risk in the community and providing tailored reassurance or referral for high-risk assessment.
KW - Breast neoplasm
KW - Genetic counseling
KW - Genetic testing
KW - Risk perception
KW - Worry
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79952190002&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79952190002&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10897-010-9336-7
DO - 10.1007/s10897-010-9336-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 21132457
AN - SCOPUS:79952190002
SN - 1059-7700
VL - 20
SP - 157
EP - 164
JO - Journal of Genetic Counseling
JF - Journal of Genetic Counseling
IS - 2
ER -