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Genetics of Colorectal Cancer (PDQ®)

  • Updated: 02/28/2013

Table 13. Summary of Studies Evaluating Interest in or Intention to Have Genetic Counseling and Testing for Familial Colorectal Cancer (CRC)a

Study Population Nb Interest or Intention in GC or GTc 
General population (Utah), RDDSd [1]40147% very interested in GT; 35% somewhat interested in GT
General population (Utah), RDDS [2]38347% very interested in GT; 37% somewhat interested in GT
Unaffectede FDRs of CRC patients from tumor registry [8]42646% GC intention; 26% definite GT intention
Unaffected FDRs of CRC patients from HCCR [7]1,37377% definite GT intention if free; 15% probable
CRC patients from an oncology center and community [12]9852% definite GT interest; 20% probable
Unaffected FDRs of CRC patients from an oncology center and community [13]9584% GT interest
Focus groups of CRC patients and unaffected FDRs from an oncology center and community [14]28 CRCsCRCs: 96% GT interest before group; 89% after group
33 FDRsFDRs: 82% before group; 42% after group
General population (Ontario, Canada), RDDS [3]50181% interested in GT if test is 80% predictive; 77% interested if test is 90% accurate; 67% interested if 1% of population inherits a familial CRC gene mutation
General population (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine), RDDS [4]1,836GT intention in next 6 months: 32% probably/definitely; 19% possibly
GT intention in next month: 19% probably/definitely; 12% possibly

FDR = first-degree relative; GC = genetic counseling; GT = genetic testing; HCCR = hereditary colon cancer registry.
aAll 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]
bIndicates number of participants older than 18 y, unless otherwise specified.
cType of genetic test not specified.
dRandom Digit Dial Survey with general population samples.
eUnaffected = no previous diagnosis of CRC.

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]