Genetic testing for colon cancer among African-Americans in North Carolina.
OBJECTIVE
To describe attitudes and correlates of intention to take a genetic test for colon cancer in a population-based sample of African-Americans.


METHODS
African-Americans (n = 658), age 18-70, in North Carolina completed an 11-page questionnaire between June-October 2003 that assessed attitudes (familiarity, perceived benefits and risks, anxiety, and confidentiality) and intention to take a genetic test for colon cancer and various participant characteristics.


RESULTS
Respondents expressed favorable attitudes and high intention regarding genetic testing for colon cancer: 87% would definitely/probably take a genetic test, although only 42% had read/heard a lot or some about genetic testing. Most agreed that genetic test results should be available to healthcare providers (79%) but not to health insurers (62%) or employers (82%). About a third were concerned that genetic testing could lead to discrimination. Correlates of intention differed by sex. Perceived benefits were significantly positively associated with intention among all respondents. However, being married (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.7), doctor as the main source of health information (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.9), and colon cancer family history (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.6, 11.6) were significant only for women; some college education (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7, 9.7), importance of sharing test results with relatives (OR = 5.5, 95% CI: 1.6, 18.7), and colon cancer screening history (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6, 7.5) were only significant for men.


CONCLUSIONS
Respondents expressed high interest in genetic testing for colon cancer risk, although confidentiality of test results is a concern. Guidelines and policies for genetic testing specific to African-Americans should be established and future research should examine the prevalence of genetic testing.
Satia
Jessie A
JA
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. jabouta@unc.edu
McRitchie
Susan
S
Kupper
Lawrence L
LL
Halbert
Chanita Hughes
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009657:North Carolina; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires