title: Attitude towards pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for hereditary cancer.
abstract: The use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for hereditary cancer is subject to on-going debate, particularly among professionals. This study evaluates the attitude towards PGD and attitude-associated characteristics of those concerned: family members with a hereditary cancer predisposition. Forty-eight Von Hippel-Lindau and 18 Li-Fraumeni Syndrome families were identified via the 9 family cancer clinics in the Netherlands. In total, 216 high risk family members and partners were approached, of whom 179 (83%) completed a self-report questionnaire. Of the high risk family members, 35% expressed a positive attitude towards PGD. Those with a current desire to have children were significantly more likely to have a positive attitude: 48% would consider the use of PGD. No other sociodemographic, medical or psychosocial variables were associated significantly with a positive attitude. The most frequently reported advantage of PGD is the avoidance of a possible pregnancy termination. Uncertainty about late effects was the most frequently reported disadvantage. These results indicate that approximately half of those contemplating a future pregnancy would consider the use of PGD. The actual uptake, however, is expected to be lower. There is no indication that psychosocial factors affect interest in PGD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychosocial Research & Epidemiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lammens
authors.forename: Eveline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bleiker
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aaronson
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vriends
authors.forename: Margreet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ausems
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jansweijer
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sijmons
authors.forename: Ans
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van den Ouweland
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Luijt
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spruijt
authors.forename: Encarna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gómez García
authors.forename: Mariëlle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruijs
authors.forename: Senno
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhoef
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016864:Li-Fraumeni Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology