 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH1, Alexander Miller, MD2, Fabiola Aparicio-Ting, MPH1, Sandra L. San Miguel de Majors, MS1, Matiana Gonzalez, EdD1, and Bradley Pollock, PhD3. (1) Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 8207 Callaghan Rd., Suite 110, San Antonio, TX 78230, 210 348 0255, aramirez@bcm.tmc.edu, (2) Cancer Therapy and Research Center, 7979 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78229, (3) Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., CTRC U470, San Antonio, TX 78229
Purpose: Little is known about the issues surrounding genetic testing among Hispanics. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and interest in genetic testing among Hispanics with family members with breast cancer. Methods: Eighty-three family members were interviewed. Validated scales and items were used to measure knowledge, perceived benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing, and interest in genetic testing. Results: Participants had read or heard relatively little to almost nothing about genetic testing (86%), and 75% were interested in obtaining more information. Regardless, the majority perceived themselves as candidates for testing and were interested in having a genetic test. Participants less than age 40 were the most likely to be interested. Although females had a higher perceived risk of carrying an altered gene, males were as interested in having a genetic test as females. Participants were also more likely to be interested in insurance paid tests (75%), than self-paid tests (29%). The most important perceived benefits were to take better care of one’s self (75%), get screened more often (72%), and learn about their children’s risk (63%). The most common perceive risks were worry about affect on insurance (16%) and concern over own emotional reaction (15%). Participants identified more with the benefits than risks. Discussion: Interest in genetic testing was high among these participants, yet knowledge levels appear to be very low. Hispanic family members of breast cancer patients and survivors need to be educated about genetic testing; including its benefits, risks and limitations, and the implications of the results.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Genetics, Hispanic
Related Web page: N/A
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.