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Cancer genetics--survey of primary care physicians' attitudes and practices
L C Friedman1, S E Plon, H P Cooper
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Background:
Genetic testing for susceptibility to cancer often involves complex medical, ethical, legal, and psychological issues that present a challenge for physicians in clinical practice.
Methods:
This study is based on survey data from 101 primary care physicians throughout Texas, measuring their interest in and attitudes about cancer genetics.
Results:
The majority of physicians surveyed reported that they would consider genetic screening for at least one of seven genetic disorders that predispose to cancer, and almost 20% had made one or more referrals for genetic evaluation and DNA testing. Overall, they wanted to see a variety of continuing education programs and educational materials on DNA testing for cancer susceptibility developed. Although most of the physicians accurately perceived a number of major obstacles to referring patients for genetic testing, barriers such as difficulty in interpreting test results, potential for false-positive and false-negative results, and concern about patients'reactions to test results were reported less frequently.
Conclusions:
The results support other evidence for a need to provide continuing education to physicians about genetic testing for susceptibility to cancer.