Men's attitudes regarding genetic testing for hereditary prostate cancer risk

Objectives. Little is known about the attitudes of men unselected for a fam ily history for prostate cancer concerning genetic testing for prostate can cer risk or genetic testing for inherited cancer predisposition. To explore this, we examined the interest in molecular testing for hereditary prostat e cancer (HPC) predisposition among a self-selected cohort of 342 men prese nting for prostate cancer screening. Methods. Participants were surveyed concerning their attitudes about DNA te sting Sor HPC predisposition and knowledge of prostate cancer-associated ri sk factors, including heredity. Results, Of the participants completing the survey, 92% expressed interest: in learning about DNA testing, and 89% stated that they would undergo DNA analysis for HPC predisposition, if available. Twenty-eight percent of resp ondents failed to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the concept of " inherited tendency." The demonstrated level of understanding of this concep t did not differ by the respondent's family history, although it varied by race. An interest in learning about or undergoing testing did not vary by r ace, family history, or demonstrated understanding of the concept of inheri ted risk. Conclusions. Among men presenting for routine prostate cancer screening, in terest In learning about testing for HPC predisposition and in having such testing performed may be high. The data also provide evidence that, in a po pulation of men unselected for family history, interest in molecular testin g for this common, male-specific cancer may parallel the high interest leve l demonstrated among women in DNA testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer risk. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.