Women's perception, attitudes, and intended behavior towards predictive epigenetic risk testing for female cancers in 5 European countries: A cross-sectional online survey
| Autor: | Martin Widschwendter, Felix G. Rebitschek, Odette Wegwarth, Nora Pashayan |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Gerontology Health Knowledge Attitudes Practice medicine.medical_specialty Psychological intervention Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Survey sampling Breast Neoplasms 030209 endocrinology & metabolism Intention Computer-assisted web interviewing Intentions Epigenesis Genetic 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Predictive Value of Tests Neoplasms Health care Cancer screening Humans Medicine Genetic Predisposition to Disease Genetic Testing 030212 general & internal medicine Early Detection of Cancer Aged Ovarian Neoplasms Predictive epigenetic testing business.industry lcsh:Public aspects of medicine Public health Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health lcsh:RA1-1270 Middle Aged European women Endometrial Neoplasms 3. Good health Test (assessment) Europe Cross-Sectional Studies Female cancer risk Attitudes Female Biostatistics business Research Article |
| Zdroj: | BMC Public Health BMC Public Health, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2019) |
| Popis: | Background Epigenetic markers might be used for risk-stratifying cancer screening and prevention programs in the future. Although the clinical utility of consequent epigenetic tests for risk stratification is yet to be proven, successful adoption into clinical practice also requires the public’s acceptance of such tests. This cross-sectional online survey study sought to learn for the first time about European women’s perceptions, attitudes, and intended behavior regarding a predictive epigenetic test for female cancer (breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial) risks. Methods 1675 women (40–75 years) from five European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden), drawn from online panels by the survey sampling company Harris Interactive (Germany), participated in an online survey where they first received online leaflet information on a predictive epigenetic test for female cancer risks and were subsequently queried by an online questionnaire on their desire to know their female cancer risks, their perception of the benefit-to-harm ratio of an epigenetic test predicting female cancer risks, reasons in favor and disfavor of taking such a test, and their intention to take a predictive epigenetic test for female cancer risks. Results Most women desired information on each of their female cancer risks, 56.6% (95% CI: 54.2–59.0) thought the potential benefits outweighed potential harms, and 75% (72.0–77.8) intended to take a predictive epigenetic test for female cancer risks if freely available. Results varied considerably by country with women from Germany and the Czech Republic being more reserved about this new form of testing than women from the other three European countries. The main reason cited in favor of a predictive epigenetic test for female cancer risks was its potential to guide healthcare strategies and lifestyle changes in the future, and in its disfavor was that it may increase cancer worry and coerce unintended lifestyle changes and healthcare interventions. Conclusions A successful introduction of predictive epigenetic tests for cancer risks will require a balanced and transparent communication of the benefit-to-harm ratio of healthcare pathways resulting from such tests in order to curb unjustified expectations and at the same time to prevent unjustified concerns. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6994-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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