title: Cancer Risk Awareness and Concern among Women with a Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer.
abstract: Women with a documented deleterious mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are at substantially elevated risk for ovarian cancer. To understand what percentage of women with high-risk family histories know their risk is elevated we surveyed 1,885 women with a high- or moderate-risk family history and no personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, and asked about their perceived risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Among high-risk women, fewer than 20% reported use of genetic counseling, and knowledge of elevated risk of ovarian cancer was low. Prior genetic counseling was associated with greater perceived risk for ovarian cancer. Results suggest that most high-risk women (>75%) do not know their risk for ovarian cancer. Identification of potentially high-risk women for referral to genetic counseling may improve informed ovarian cancer risk management.
authors: a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington.
authors: M Robyn
authors: MR
authors: Andersen
authors: b Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Thorpe
authors: c Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, and Group Health Research Institute.
authors: Diana S M
authors: DS
authors: Buist
authors: d Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Swedish Hospital.
authors: J David
authors: JD
authors: Beatty
authors: b Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Watabayashi
authors: e Swedish Hospital.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Hanson
authors: e Swedish Hospital.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Resta
authors: f University of Washington and Group Health Research Institute.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Chubak
authors: a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Urban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: breast cancer risk; genetics; ovarian cancer; worry