INTEREST IN LEARNING OF PERSONAL GENETIC RISK FOR CANCER - A GENERAL-POPULATION SURVEY

Background. Previous studies have reported high interest in genetic te sting for risk for colon or breast-ovarian cancer. These studies, howe ver, have used samples which might be atypical with regard to level of interest evident among the general U.S. population. Methods. As part of an annual statewide telephone health survey, adults' (n = 649) inte rest in learning about their personal genetic predisposition for cance r was assessed. Results. High levels of interest in learning about a p ersonal genetic predisposition for cancer in general (87%) and breast cancer in particular (93%) were expressed. Logistic regression analysi s indicated that lack of interest was associated with less education, minority status, and less performance of other health-protective behav iors. Only 53% of respondents reported their understanding of genetics was ''good'' or ''excellent.'' Conclusion. While interest in learning of one's personal genetic predisposition for cancer was high, many in dividuals requesting testing may have a less than good understanding o f genetics and the implications of test results. Furthermore, variable s associated with lack of interest in learning about personal genetic risk for cancer in this study were similar to those which have been pr eviously found to be associated with poor utilization of other cancer control activities such as breast or cervical cancer screening. (C) 19 96 Academic Press, Inc.