Attitude towards pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for hereditary cancer.
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.
Lammens
Chantal
C
Division of Psychosocial Research & Epidemiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bleiker
Eveline
E
Aaronson
Neil
N
Vriends
Annette
A
Ausems
Margreet
M
Jansweijer
Maaike
M
Wagner
Anja
A
Sijmons
Rolf
R
van den Ouweland
Ans
A
van der Luijt
Rob
R
Spruijt
Liesbeth
L
Gómez García
Encarna
E
Ruijs
Mariëlle
M
Verhoef
Senno
S
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