Predictors of participation in genetic research in a primary care physician network

This study evaluated the process of recruiting women from a primary care physician network into a study of genetic counseling for breast cancer. It also investigated predictors of women's interest in participating in genetic counseling research. Women were recruited in three stages: (a) via an initial contact letter; (b) a telephone screening survey; and (c) a mailed baseline questionnaire. We performed a logistic regression with participation as the outcome. We sent 4690 initial contact letters and conducted 2081 telephone surveys to recruit 340 participants. Number of relatives with cancer, higher interest in taking a genetic test for breast cancer, and lower degree of worry about cancer were strong predictors for women's participation. Recruitment data showed interest in a study on genetic counseling for breast cancer risk. However, interest decreased as study requirements increased. Participation in genetics-related studies is related to psychological differences that must be considered when generalizing findings.