Facilitating Breast Cancer Genetic Counseling Through Information, Preparation and Referral: A Pilot Program Using the Cancer Information Service

摘要

Previous research has shown that women often lack knowledge regarding the kinds of information that are required to determine inherited risk as well as on the process and content of risk assessment/genetic testing. This lack of information leads them to feel unprepared for risk assessment/genetic testing, if they choose to seek it. The present study will evaluate an enhanced intervention's ability to increase a women's knowledge of: (1) the factors that determine genetic predisposition to breast/ovarian cancer; (2) their personal family history and other risk factors; (3) the benefits and drawbacks of genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer; (4) the range of surveillance and preventive behaviors available; and (5) the actual process of risk assessment/genetic testing. Participants are 200 women who contact the Cancer Information Service (CIS) requesting information on inheritable breast/ovarian cancer, risk assessment and/or genetic testing. Women are randomly assigned to either the standard or enhanced intervention. A randomized study in which the two interventions are compared will test the effectiveness of the CIS in increasing women's knowledge of inheritable breast/ovarian cancer and the process of risk assessment/genetic testing.