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Genetics of Colorectal Cancer (PDQ®)
Health Professional VersionLast Modified: 07/16/2008
Table 7A. Summary of Studies Evaluating Interest in or Intention to Have Genetic Counseling and Testing for Familial Colorectal Cancer (FCC)*

Study Population  N  Interest or Intention in Genetic Counseling (GC) or Genetic Testing (GT) 
General population (UT), RDDS§ [1] 401 47% very interested in GT; 35% somewhat interested in GT
General population (UT), RDDS [2] 383 47% very interested in GT; 37% somewhat interested in GT
Unaffectedfirst-degree relatives (FDRs) of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from tumor registry [8] 426 46% GC intention; 26% definite GT intention
Unaffected FDRs of CRC patients from hereditary colon cancer registry (HCCR) [7] 1373 77% definite GT intention if free; 15% probable
CRC patients from an oncology center and community [12] 98 52% definite GT interest; 20% probable
Unaffected FDRs of CRC patients from an oncology center and community [13] 95 84% GT interest
Focus groups of CRC patients and unaffected FDRs from an oncology center and community [14] 28 CRCs CRCs: 96% GT interest before group; 89% after group
33 FDRs FDRs: 82% before group; 42% after group
General population (Ontario, Canada), RDDS [3] 501 81% interested in GT if test is 80% predictive; 77% interested if test is 90% accurate; 67% interested if 1% of population inherits FCC gene mutation
General population (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine), RDDS [4] 1836 GT intention in next 6 months: 32% probably/definitely; 19% possibly
GT intention in next month: 19% probably/definitely; 12% possibly

*All studies used a cross-sectional design, with the exception of one study, which used focus groups.[14] All studies were conducted in the United States, with the exception of one Canadian study.[3]
†Indicates number of participants older than 18 years, unless otherwise specified.
‡Type of genetic test not specified.
§Random Digit Dial Survey with general population samples.
¶Unaffected = no previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

References

  1. Croyle RT, Lerman C: Interest in genetic testing for colon cancer susceptibility: cognitive and emotional correlates. Prev Med 22 (2): 284-92, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  2. Smith KR, Croyle RT: Attitudes toward genetic testing for colon cancer risk. Am J Public Health 85 (10): 1435-8, 1995.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  3. Graham ID, Logan DM, Hughes-Benzie R, et al.: How interested is the public in genetic testing for colon cancer susceptibility? Report of a cross-sectional population survey. Cancer Prev Control 2 (4): 167-72, 1998.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  4. Bunn JY, Bosompra K, Ashikaga T, et al.: Factors influencing intention to obtain a genetic test for colon cancer risk: a population-based study. Prev Med 34 (6): 567-77, 2002.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  5. Petersen GM, Larkin E, Codori AM, et al.: Attitudes toward colon cancer gene testing: survey of relatives of colon cancer patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8 (4 Pt 2): 337-44, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  6. Glanz K, Grove J, Lerman C, et al.: Correlates of intentions to obtain genetic counseling and colorectal cancer gene testing among at-risk relatives from three ethnic groups. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8 (4 Pt 2): 329-36, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  7. Kinney AY, Choi YA, DeVellis B, et al.: Attitudes toward genetic testing in patients with colorectal cancer. Cancer Pract 8 (4): 178-86, 2000 Jul-Aug.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  8. Kinney AY, Choi YA, DeVellis B, et al.: Interest in genetic testing among first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients. Am J Prev Med 18 (3): 249-52, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  9. Kinney AY, DeVellis BM, Skrzynia C, et al.: Genetic testing for colorectal carcinoma susceptibility: focus group responses of individuals with colorectal carcinoma and first-degree relatives. Cancer 91 (1): 57-65, 2001.  [PUBMED Abstract]


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