Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the levels of interest among Indigenous people with cancer in identifying cancer risk in their family and seeking genetic counselling/testing. Design and setting: A cross‐sectional survey of Indigenous cancer patients recruited from four ma...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2014-08-01
|
| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12256 |
| _version_ | 1797766551050387456 |
|---|---|
| author | Christina M. Bernardes Patricia C. Valery Gail Garvey |
| author_facet | Christina M. Bernardes Patricia C. Valery Gail Garvey |
| author_sort | Christina M. Bernardes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the levels of interest among Indigenous people with cancer in identifying cancer risk in their family and seeking genetic counselling/testing. Design and setting: A cross‐sectional survey of Indigenous cancer patients recruited from four major treating hospitals in Queensland. Participants’ family history of cancer and interest in genetic counselling/testing was sought using a structured questionnaire. Results: Overall, 73.0% of 252 participants reported having a family history of cancer; of those, 52.8% had at least one first‐degree relative with cancer. A total of 68.3% of participants indicated concern about relatives being affected by cancer and 54.4% of participants indicated they would like to assess the cancer risk in their family with a specialist. Concern was associated with willingness to discuss the risk of cancer with a specialist (p<0.001). Conclusions: Indigenous cancer patients do have a family history of cancer and appear willing to undergo genetic counselling/investigation. It is of great concern that this population could miss the benefits of the technological advances in health care, creating a much larger disparity in health outcomes. Implications: Health service providers should not assume that Indigenous cancer patients will not follow their recommendations when referred to genetic counselling/investigation services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T20:25:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6e904fd81a440429342b43131a72394 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T20:25:52Z |
| publishDate | 2014-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6e904fd81a440429342b43131a723942023-08-02T00:31:48ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052014-08-0138434434810.1111/1753-6405.12256Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, AustraliaChristina M. Bernardes0Patricia C. Valery1Gail Garvey2Epidemiology and Health Systems Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, QueenslandEpidemiology and Health Systems Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, QueenslandEpidemiology and Health Systems Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, QueenslandAbstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the levels of interest among Indigenous people with cancer in identifying cancer risk in their family and seeking genetic counselling/testing. Design and setting: A cross‐sectional survey of Indigenous cancer patients recruited from four major treating hospitals in Queensland. Participants’ family history of cancer and interest in genetic counselling/testing was sought using a structured questionnaire. Results: Overall, 73.0% of 252 participants reported having a family history of cancer; of those, 52.8% had at least one first‐degree relative with cancer. A total of 68.3% of participants indicated concern about relatives being affected by cancer and 54.4% of participants indicated they would like to assess the cancer risk in their family with a specialist. Concern was associated with willingness to discuss the risk of cancer with a specialist (p<0.001). Conclusions: Indigenous cancer patients do have a family history of cancer and appear willing to undergo genetic counselling/investigation. It is of great concern that this population could miss the benefits of the technological advances in health care, creating a much larger disparity in health outcomes. Implications: Health service providers should not assume that Indigenous cancer patients will not follow their recommendations when referred to genetic counselling/investigation services.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12256Indigenouscancergenetic services |
| spellingShingle | Christina M. Bernardes Patricia C. Valery Gail Garvey Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Indigenous cancer genetic services |
| title | Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia |
| title_full | Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia |
| title_short | Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia |
| title_sort | exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among indigenous people in queensland australia |
| topic | Indigenous cancer genetic services |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12256 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christinambernardes exploringthecancerriskperceptionandinterestingeneticservicesamongindigenouspeopleinqueenslandaustralia AT patriciacvalery exploringthecancerriskperceptionandinterestingeneticservicesamongindigenouspeopleinqueenslandaustralia AT gailgarvey exploringthecancerriskperceptionandinterestingeneticservicesamongindigenouspeopleinqueenslandaustralia |