Psychological and screening profiles of first-degree relatives of prostatecancer patients

The purpose of the present study was to systematically compare the psycholo gical and screening profiles of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of prostate c ancer patients versus non-FDRs. FDRs (n = 56) and non-FDRs (n = 100), recru ited through prostate cancer index cases and newspaper advertisements, comp leted questionnaires via mail. FDRs reported feeling at greater risk for pr ostate cancer, estimated that they were at higher average lifetime risk for the disease, agreed more strongly that prostate cancer is inherited, and t hat less can be done to prevent the development of the disease, lncreased a ge, but not FDR status, was associated with more frequent screening behavio r Taken together, the results indicate that FDRs; are characterized by grea ter perceived vulnerability to prostate cancer and lower expectations about disease prevention. Yet, they are no more likely to be screened than non-F DRs. These findings underscore the importance of developing, and evaluating , evidence-based health communication protocols to promote screening adhere nce among at-risk patients.