title: Testicular cancer and genetics knowledge among familial testicular cancer family members.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It was our aim to determine baseline levels of testicular cancer and genetics knowledge among members of families with Familial Testicular Cancer (FTC).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a sub-study of an ongoing National Cancer Institute (NCI) multidisciplinary, etiologically-focused, cross-sectional study of FTC. We evaluated 258 male and female participants including testicular cancer (TC) survivors, blood relatives and spouses to assess factors associated with a Genetic Knowledge Scale (GKS) and Testicular Cancer Knowledge Scale (TCKS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge levels were generally low, with genetic knowledge lower than TC knowledge (p < 0.01). Men with a personal TC history scored highest on TC knowledge, while gender, age and education differentially influenced knowledge levels, particularly among unaffected relatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prior to identifying FTC susceptibility genes, we recommend tailoring FTC genetic education to the different informational needs of TC survivors, their spouses and relatives, in preparation for the day when clinical susceptibility testing may be available.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 6120 Executive Blvd., EPS 7026, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. petersju@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: June A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Ellen B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Beckjord
authors.forename: Deliya R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Banda Ryan
authors.forename: Ann G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Susan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Vadaparampil
authors.forename: Jennifer T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Loud
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Korde
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology