title: Factors influencing perceptions of breast cancer genetic counseling among women in an urban health care system.
abstract: The study assessed perceptions of breast cancer genetic counseling. Focus groups were conducted with twenty women (ages < = 50 years) in a Midwestern, urban health system identified as at above average risk of developing hereditary breast cancer and referred for breast cancer genetic counseling following mammography. All participants associated the words "breast cancer" with fear. African American women who received breast cancer genetic counseling may have channeled their fear into increased vigilance related to breast health. African American women who did not receive breast cancer genetic counseling were most knowledgeable about it. In contrast, Caucasian women who did not receive it reported uncertainty about the role of genetic counseling and testing in assessing breast cancer risk, mistrust in medical professionals, and lack of trust in the accuracy of genetic tests. The results could be used to help develop interventions to improve informed decision-making regarding breast cancer genetic counseling.
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Cannon Street, Suite 303, P.O. Box 250835, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. fordmar@musc.edu
authors: Marvella E
authors: ME
authors: Ford
authors: Sharon Hensley
authors: SH
authors: Alford
authors: Diandra
authors: D
authors: Britton
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: McClary
authors: Howard S
authors: HS
authors: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D044383:Black People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population; D014930:Women; D001741:Black or African American
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