WOMENS RECEPTIVITY TO TESTING FOR A GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO BREAST-CANCER

Four hundred eighty-four patients undergoing mammography and 498 patie nts visiting their obstetrician-gynecologist were asked whether they w ould take a breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) test to detect a genetic susceptib ility to breast cancer. More than 90% in both groups said they would t ake the test. Women were more likely to accept if they were regularly having breast examinations by a physician, believed that mammography e ffectively detects early breast cancer, and believed that early breast cancer is curable. If shown to have inherited a susceptibility, many reported that they would be very anxious, would want the test repeated , would examine their breasts more often than monthly, and would want mammography more often than yearly. Many also reported that they would recommend testing to relatives.