title: Concerns and recommendations regarding inherited cancer risk: the perspectives of survivors and female relatives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little research is available comparing differences in cancer risk perceptions between cancer survivors and family members at risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative focus groups with survivor-female relative dyads (N = 39) were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Important differences exist between the concerns of survivors and family members relevant to their cancer risk. Survivors focused on their own concerns from a personal perspective, whereas family members focused on the survivors' health and tended to suppress their own fears of cancer. Specific recommendations for inclusion of family members in cancer risk education are provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addressing family member differences is critical to tailor specific risk information inclusive of the entire family.
authors.affiliation: University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI 48219-0900, USA. mellonsk@udmercy.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mellon
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berry-Bobovski
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tainsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*