Acceptability of Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Mary Porteous, Dunckley M, Appleton S, Catt S, Dunlop M, Campbell H, Cull A
Primary Institution: Cancer Research UK
Hypothesis
Is it acceptable to approach colorectal cancer patients at diagnosis to discuss genetic testing?
Conclusion
Most colorectal cancer patients found it acceptable to receive information about genetic testing shortly after their diagnosis.
Supporting Evidence
- 69% of patients returned completed questionnaires.
- 55% of participants were male and 45% were female.
- 78% of participants thought it was definitely acceptable to have genetic information brought to their attention.
Takeaway
When people find out they have colorectal cancer, most of them are okay with learning about genetic testing for their family, even if they didn't know cancer could run in families before.
Methodology
Patients were approached for feedback on the acceptability of genetic testing after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and their responses were collected through questionnaires.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data and the influence of the timing of the approach on patient responses.
Limitations
The study was limited to a specific geographic area and may not be generalizable to all colorectal cancer patients.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly married or living with a partner, with a mean age of 48.6 years, and included 55% males and 45% females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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