title: Adjusting the frequency of mammography screening on the basis of genetic risk: Attitudes among women in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore public attitudes towards modifying frequency of mammography screening based on genetic risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home-based interviews were carried out with a population-based sample of 942 women aged 18-74 years in the UK. Demographic characteristics and perceived breast cancer (BC) risk were examined as predictors of support for risk-stratified BC screening and of the acceptability of raised or lowered screening frequency based on genetic risk, using multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over two-thirds of respondents (65.8%) supported the idea of varying screening frequency on the basis of genetic risk. The majority (85.4%) were willing to have more frequent breast screening if they were found to be at higher risk, but fewer (58.8%) were willing to have less frequent screening if at lower risk (t (956) = 15.6, p < 0.001). Ethnic minority status was associated with less acceptability of more frequent screening (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21-0.74), but there were no other significant demographic correlates. Higher perceived risk of BC was associated with greater acceptability of more frequent screening (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.27-2.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women were positive about adjusting the frequency of mammography screening in line with personal genetic risk, but it will be important to develop effective communication materials to minimise resistance to reducing screening frequency for those at lower genetic risk.
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, Dept. Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address: susanne.meisel@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Susanne F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Meisel
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pashayan
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Women's Cancer, EGA UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Women's Cancer, EGA UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Side
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Women's Cancer, EGA UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Women's Cancer, EGA UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gessler
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Women's Cancer, EGA UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanceley
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, Dept. Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast cancer; Population survey; Stratified screening; Women's attitude