Psychosocial correlates of intention to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy among women with a family history of ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of intention to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy among women with a family history of ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Participants were 76 women enrolled in a familial cancer risk assessment program. Psychosocial assessments were collected upon entry into the program and included measures of perceived risk of developing ovarian cancer, perceived benefits and limitations of prophylactic oophorectomy, and psychological distress. In addition, respondents were asked whether they intended to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy in the following 12 months.


RESULTS
Thirty-four percent reported intention to have surgery within 12 months. Logistic regression analyses indicated that intention to undergo surgery was associated with several psychosocial factors including greater perceived risk of developing ovarian cancer and greater perceived benefits of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who have heightened risk perceptions and who perceive there to be many benefits of surgery may be more inclined to undergo the procedure, possibly without fully considering the potential limitations and consequences of surgery. These findings suggest the need for education and risk counseling designed to facilitate informed decision making among not only high-risk women, but also women who perceive themselves to be at increased risk.
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. cy_fang@fccc.edu
Carolyn Y
CY
Fang
Suzanne M
SM
Miller
John
J
Malick
James
J
Babb
Karen E
KE
Hurley
Paul F
PF
Engstrom
Mary B
MB
Daly
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires