title: Patient knowledge and information-seeking about personalized cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding patients' knowledge and prior information-seeking regarding personalized cancer therapy (PCT) may inform future patient information systems, consent for molecular testing and PCT protocols. We evaluated breast cancer patients' knowledge and information-seeking behaviors regarding PCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly registered female breast cancer patients (n=100) at a comprehensive cancer center completed a self-administered questionnaire prior to their first clinic visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge regarding cancer genetics and PCT was moderate (mean 8.7±3.8 questions correct out of 16). A minority of patients (27%) indicated that they had sought information regarding PCT. Higher education (p=0.009) and income levels (p=0.04) were associated with higher knowledge scores and with seeking PCT information (p=0.04). Knowledge was not associated with willingness to participate in PCT research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational background and financial status impact patient knowledge as well as information-seeking behavior. For most patients, clinicians are likely to be patients' initial source of information about PCT. Understanding patients' knowledge deficits at presentation may help inform patient education efforts.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Deevakar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rogith
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Rafeek A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
authors.forename: Shelley R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hovick
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Bryan M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fellman
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY 12208, United States.
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burton-Chase
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Yisheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Elmer V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Bernstam
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Electronic address: fmeric@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meric-Bernstam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Information-seeking behavior; Molecular testing; Patient attitudes; Patient knowledge; Personalized cancer therapy