title: Knowledge, attitudes and behavior of physicians regarding predictive genetic tests for breast and colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic testing for cancer susceptibility is an emerging technology in medicine. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and professional behavior of Italian physicians regarding the use of predictive genetic tests for breast and colorectal cancer, including the BRCA1/2 and APC tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of Italian physicians was performed in 2010 through a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 69.6% (1079 questionnaires) was achieved. A significant lack of knowledge was detected, particularly for APC testing. Less than half of the physicians agreed on the importance of efficacy and cost-effectiveness evidence in the selection of predictive genetic tests to be offered to the patients. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that education had a positive influence on knowledge, attitudes and, to a lesser extent, professional use. The factor most strongly related to the physicians' use of genetic testing was patients requests for breast (odds ratio=12.65; 95% confidence interval 7.77-20.59) or colorectal cancer tests (odds ratio=7.02; 95% confidence interval 3.61-13.64). A high level of interest for specific training was reported by almost all physicians surveyed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeted educational programs are needed to improve the expertise of physicians, and, ultimately, to enhance the appropriate use of genetic tests in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5-00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: carolina.marzuillo@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marzuillo
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Addario
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villari
mesh_terms: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review
chemical_list: C555337:APC protein, human; D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D019313:BRCA1 Protein; C492913:BRCA1 protein, human; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; C551750:BRCA2 protein, human
keywords: Attitudes; Cancer predictive genetic tests; Cross-sectional survey; Knowledge; Physicians; Professional behavior