Genetic testing for prostate cancer. Willingness and predictors of interest.
OBJECTIVE
As researchers come closer to identifying the genes responsible for prostate cancer, the possibility of genetic testing for men at risk for prostate cancer becomes more likely. This study examined the following: 1) the degree to which men with (n = 43) or without (n = 83) a family history of prostate cancer would be interested in genetic testing; and 2) the degree to which interest in testing was associated with demographic, family history, and psychosocial factors.


METHODS
Participants (N = 126) were accrued through patients who had been treated for prostate cancer at Fox Chase Cancer Center (n = 39) and through newspaper advertisements (n = 87). All participants completed a questionnaire sent by mail.


RESULTS
Seventy-four percent of men were probably (50%) or definitely (24%) interested in testing. Participants with a family history of prostate cancer reported that they would be willing to pay substantially more for a genetic test compared with those without a family history. Elevated worry about prostate cancer and concerns about treatment-related side effects were associated with greater interest in genetic testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings demonstrate a need for the development of genetic counseling protocols for at-risk men who are interested in genetic testing, once this test becomes available.
Diefenbach
M A
MA
Division of Population Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 510 Township Line Road, Third Floor, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania 19012, USA.
Schnoll
R A
RA
Miller
S M
SM
Brower
L
L
D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010375:Pedigree; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires