title: African American women's limited knowledge and experiences with genetic counseling for hereditary breast cancer.
abstract: Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast cancer have the potential benefit of early detection and early interventions in African American women. However, African American women have low use of these services compared to White women. We conducted two focus groups with African American women diagnosed with breast cancer (affected group, n = 13) and women with at least one first-degree relative with breast/ovarian cancer (unaffected group, n = 8). A content analysis approach was employed to analyze interview data. Breast cancer survivors had more knowledge about genetic counseling and testing than participants who were unaffected with cancer. However, knowledge about genetic counseling was limited in both groups. Barriers to pursuing genetic counseling and testing included poor understanding of the genetic counseling and testing process, fear of carrying the mutation, concerns about discrimination, and cost. Motivators to participate in genetic counseling and testing included desire to help family members, insurance coverage, and potential of benefiting the larger African American community. Education efforts are needed to increase genetic counseling and testing awareness in the African American community.
authors.affiliation: Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, Suite 4100, Washington, DC, 20007, USA, vls3@georgetown.edu.
authors.forename: Vanessa B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: Kristi D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: Juleen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hurtado-de-Mendoza
authors.forename: Costellia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Karen Patricia
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American