ABSTRACT
Although single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing for disease susceptibility is commercially available, translational
studies are necessary to understand how to communicate genomic information and potential implications for public health. We
explored attitudes about and initial responses to genomic testing for colon cancer risk. Following development of the educational
materials, we offered testing for three colon cancer SNPs in a pilot study with primary care patients. Participants completed
pre- and post-test sessions and interviews. We analyzed interview transcripts with qualitative software using thematic analysis.
All 20 participants opted for SNP testing. Qualitative analysis identified several themes: Motivations for SNP Testing, Before/After:
Meaning of Results, Emotional Responses to SNP Results, and Genomic Literacy/Information Delivery. Results demonstrate that
individuals will pursue SNP testing in the context of pre- and post-test education. SNP results may influence health behaviors
like healthy eating and exercise yet did not appear to impact colon cancer screening intentions.
studies are necessary to understand how to communicate genomic information and potential implications for public health. We
explored attitudes about and initial responses to genomic testing for colon cancer risk. Following development of the educational
materials, we offered testing for three colon cancer SNPs in a pilot study with primary care patients. Participants completed
pre- and post-test sessions and interviews. We analyzed interview transcripts with qualitative software using thematic analysis.
All 20 participants opted for SNP testing. Qualitative analysis identified several themes: Motivations for SNP Testing, Before/After:
Meaning of Results, Emotional Responses to SNP Results, and Genomic Literacy/Information Delivery. Results demonstrate that
individuals will pursue SNP testing in the context of pre- and post-test education. SNP results may influence health behaviors
like healthy eating and exercise yet did not appear to impact colon cancer screening intentions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Research
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s13142-012-0149-0
- Authors
- Rachel Nusbaum, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Kara-Grace Leventhal, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Gillian W Hooker, The Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Training Program, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Beth N Peshkin, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Morgan Butrick, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Yasmin Salehizadeh, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- William Tuong, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Susan Eggly, Population Studies and Disparities Program, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
- Jeena Mathew, Genomics and Epigenomics Shared Resource, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- David Goerlitz, Genomics and Epigenomics Shared Resource, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Peter G Shields, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Marc D Schwartz, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Kristi D Graves, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Journal Translational Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1613-9860
- Print ISSN 1869-6716