The beliefs, and reported and intended behaviors of unaffected men in response to their family history of prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Genetic testing for hereditary cancer facilitates medical management and improves health outcomes. Genetic testing is not currently available for prostate cancer, but trials are underway to investigate if antiandrogens and selenium have a preventive role for at-risk individuals. To inform future genetic counseling, we sought to understand the pre-existing beliefs and behaviors of men with a family history of prostate cancer and explore their intention to adopt possible preventive behaviors in response to test results.


METHODS
A survey was completed by 280 men (response: 59%).


RESULTS
The belief that diet influenced prostate cancer risk was held by 73% of participants, whereas 37% believed in medication/natural therapies. Thirty-nine percent reported at least one change to their diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise patterns, vitamin/mineral/supplement intake and/or medication/natural therapy in response to their family history. The men expressed interest in genetic testing with 92% "definitely" or "probably" interested. Definite interest was associated with number of affected relatives and prostate cancer-related anxiety. A positive genetic test would motivate 93% of men to make at least one behavioral change.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants commonly believed behavioral factors influenced prostate cancer risk and reported that they would alter their behavior to reduce risk after (hypothetical) genetic testing.
Cowan
Ruth
R
Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Meiser
Bettina
B
Giles
Graham G
GG
Lindeman
Geoffrey J
GJ
Gaff
Clara L
CL
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004032:Diet; D005192:Family Health; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors