title: Population-based, risk-stratified genetic testing for ovarian cancer risk: a focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A population-based risk stratification programme for ovarian cancer (OC) may improve OC survival by identifying women at increased risk and implementing an appropriate risk management strategy. The present study explored attitudes towards an OC risk stratification programme incorporating predictive genetic testing and risk-stratified screening as part of a larger study investigating OC screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups consisting of 56 members of the general public (mean age 45 years; 34% non-white) were conducted using a hypothetical scenario. The group sessions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework Analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was strong support for the proposed programme. Genetic testing and risk-stratified screening was thought to raise awareness, offer reassurance and offer opportunities for early intervention. Anxiety was only mentioned in relation to receiving a diagnosis of OC and not with screening per se. Perhaps because lay models of cancer already embrace both environmental and genetic factors, a low-risk result was not anticipated to result in a false sense of immunity. Unexpectedly, participants also wanted to receive cancer prevention advice in conjunction with genetic testing; screening alone was not regarded as sufficient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The encouraging results from this small study warrant further large-scale research into risk-stratified OC screening.
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health and NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Meisel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Side
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gessler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanceley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors