Differences in Willingness to Undergo <i>BRCA1/2</i> Testing and Risk Reducing Surgery among the General Public, Cancer Patients, and Healthcare Professionals: A Large Population-Based Survey

We aimed to understand the decision-making process related to the willingness to undergo <i>BRCA1/2</i> genetic testing, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), or risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) among the general public, cancer patients, and healthcare professionals in South Korea. I...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yoon Jung Chang, Seungyeon Cho, Jungnam Joo, Kum Hei Ryu, Sangwon Lee, Juhee Cho, Myong Cheol Lim, So-Youn Jung, Jai Hong Han, Eun Sook Lee, Sun-Young Kong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Journal of Personalized Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/5/818
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Summary:We aimed to understand the decision-making process related to the willingness to undergo <i>BRCA1/2</i> genetic testing, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), or risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) among the general public, cancer patients, and healthcare professionals in South Korea. In total, 3444 individuals (1496 from the general public, 1500 cancer patients, 108 clinicians, and 340 researchers) completed a survey addressing genetic testing and related risk management options in a hypothetical scenario. Differences in intent and associated factors for undergoing the above procedures or sharing test results were analyzed. Overall, 67% of participants were willing to undergo <i>BRCA1/2</i> testing, with proportions of the general public (58%), cancer patients (70%), clinicians (88%), and researchers (90%). The willingness to undergo RRSO was highest among clinicians (58%), followed by among patients (38%), the general public (33%), and researchers (32%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Gender, age, education level, and household income were associated with willingness to undergo genetic testing, RRM, and RRSO (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The intent for undergo genetic testing, RRM, and RRSO were affected by many factors. Finally, 69% of the general public intended to share information with family, while this percentage was 92%, 91%, and 94% for patients, clinicians, and researchers, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These results highlight the requirement for developing targeted educational materials and counseling strategies for facilitating informed decision making.
ISSN:2075-4426