Interest in genetic testing among affected men from hereditary prostate cancer families and their unaffected male relatives.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate potential sociodemographic, medical, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates of interest in genetic testing in men from hereditary prostate cancer families.


METHODS
Family members affected with prostate cancer (n = 559) and their unaffected male relatives (n = 370) completed a mailed survey. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between potential correlates and interest in genetic testing for prostate cancer.


RESULTS
Forty-five percent of affected and 56% of unaffected men reported that they definitely would take a genetic test for prostate cancer. More affected men reported high levels of familiarity with genetic testing than unaffected men (46 vs. 25%). There were several variables that were significantly correlated with interest in either affected or unaffected men, but only age and familiarity with genetics were significant in both groups. After controlling for confounding variables, only familiarity remained a significant correlate in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The contrast between low levels of familiarity with genetics and high test interest among unaffected men highlights the need for increased educational efforts targeting hereditary prostate cancer families. Overall, results illuminated several novel characteristics of men from hereditary prostate cancer families that should be considered when developing future informed consent procedures or educational materials for prostate cancer genetic testing.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco, 94118, USA. harrisjn@chc.ucsf.edu
Julie N
JN
Harris
Deborah J
DJ
Bowen
Alan
A
Kuniyuki
Laura
L
McIntosh
Liesel M
LM
FitzGerald
Elaine A
EA
Ostrander
Janet L
JL
Stanford
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010375:Pedigree; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires