title: Willingness of Japanese patients with breast cancer to have genetic testing of BRCA without burden of expenses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic analysis for individuals who are at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) has becoming widely accepted. The poor introduction of the genetic testing of BRCA in Japan compared with western countries could be due to insufficient recognition of its importance, prejudice against a heredity disease, especially in non-urban districts, and its high cost. There is few available data regarding the acceptance or willingness to have genetic testing among Japanese who are at risk and living outside Tokyo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 670 patients seen and detailed family history taken at our hospital, located non-urban, 30 (4 %) gave the family history of breast cancer in more than 2 members within the second degree relatives ("stronger" family history group), 92 (14 %) in 1 member ("weaker" group), and 548 (82 %) in none of members ("sporadic" group). Then, we selected 107 (24 from "stronger", 50 from "weaker", 33 from "sporadic" family history group) to see if they are willing to receive cost-free genetic testing of BRCA 1 and BRCA2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-two of 107 (86 %) patients agreed and 15 (14 %) refused. The rate of refusal for BRCA testing was higher in "stronger family history group" (6/24, 25 %) compared to "weaker" (7/50, 14 %) or "sporadic" (2/33, 6 %) (p = 0.04), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that the currently available preventive measures and/or counseling system may not be sufficient enough to convince the high risk population to receive the genetic testing or to overcome the prejudice in non-urban area in Japan, even if served free.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan. h-nakagomi@ych.pref.yamanashi.jp.|Department of Surgery, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Fujimi1-1-1, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan. h-nakagomi@ych.pref.yamanashi.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakagomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Genome Analysis Center, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirotsu
authors.affiliation: Genome Analysis Center, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amemiya
authors.affiliation: Genome Analysis Center, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mochizuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakagomi
authors.affiliation: Epigenetic Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.affiliation: Genome Analysis Center, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Kofu, Japan.|University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010375:Pedigree; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; C492913:BRCA1 protein, human; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; C551750:BRCA2 protein, human
keywords: BRCA; Breast cancer; Family history; Ovarian cancer