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Awareness and attitudes concerning BRCA gene testing

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Abstract

Background: The availability of a commercial test for the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, has generated interest in both the medical community and the general public.

Methods: Patients and family members were approached in the waiting room and asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire about their awareness of breast cancer genes and breast cancer gene testing, and their desire to be tested. χ2 analysis was used to analyze frequencies between groups.

Results: A total of 354 women completed a questionnaire concerning the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The very young, the very old, and African-Americans were the least informed in terms of awareness of the genes and the availability of testing for the breast cancer susceptibility genes. Jewish people, people with a college education or beyond, people earning more than $30,000 a year, and Caucasians were more aware of the genes and of testing for these genes. Interest in being tested was similar in all groups, except for participants over 60 and those who had only an elementary-school education.

Conclusions: Information concerning the breast cancer susceptibility genes has not reached the general public uniformly. A concerted effort is needed if this information is to be passed on to those people at risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York

    Avigyail Mogilner, Marc Otten, John D. Cunningham MD & Steven T. Brower MD

Authors
  1. Avigyail Mogilner
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  2. Marc Otten
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  3. John D. Cunningham MD
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  4. Steven T. Brower MD
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Mogilner, A., Otten, M., Cunningham, J.D. et al. Awareness and attitudes concerning BRCA gene testing. Annals of Surgical Oncology 5, 607–612 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02303830

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02303830

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