Acceptance, motivators, and barriers in attending breast cancer genetic counseling in Asians.
OBJECTIVE
Cancer genetic risk assessment clinics represent the primary prevention arm in oncology in identifying high-risk patients for screening and prevention, but deals with the taboo subject of cancer risk prediction. Low knowledge level and traditional beliefs may pose significant barriers to its acceptance in Asia.


METHODS
We conducted a questionnaire survey to evaluate the acceptance of breast cancer genetic counseling.


RESULTS
More than 70% of the 438 respondents indicated interest and perceived potential benefits. Higher education level and use of English were associated with greater acceptance. Learning about cancer risk and cancer detection, helping the family, and the doctor's recommendation, were important motivators, while misperception that cancer patients could not gain personally, concerns of not understanding the information, cost issues, and fears of bad news, were important barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
Singaporean women were receptive to cancer genetics counseling. Education to correct misperceptions may optimize utilization of a cancer genetics service.
Chin
Tan-Min
TM
Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, 5, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
Tan
Sing-Huang
SH
Lim
Siew-Eng
SE
Iau
Philip
P
Yong
Wei-Peng
WP
Wong
Seng-Weng
SW
Lee
Soo-Chin
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012846:Singapore / Q000208:ethnology