Affected individuals treatment can be guided by the discovery of hereditary prostate cancer, which may also have an influence on cancer screening and monitoring for patients and their families. For a study, researchers sought to identify the variables that influenced men with prostate cancers choice to obtain genetic testing as well as how, why, and with whom the findings of genetic tests are discussed.

In order to learn more about the reasons for genetic testing and how families communicated the results, they questioned 113 patients with prostate cancer who got cancer genetic counseling at a tertiary medical facility in the United States. The 3 factors most frequently cited as slightly or very important by those who underwent genetic testing were: (1) learning about my familys potential cancer risk (98%); (2) learning information that might inform cancer treatment (93%); and (3) learning about my own potential for future cancers (92%).

Male first-degree relatives received more of the participants DNA test results than female first-degree relatives, but there was no discernible difference (P = 0.103). The research may indicate gendered disparities in how families communicated the findings of genetic testing. The findings pointed to the urgent need for genetic counselors to explain to clients how the results of genetic tests would affect both male and female relatives. It was necessary to conduct further studies on motivation and family communication around genetic test findings in various cohorts.

Reference: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgc4.1624

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Hereditary Prostate Cancer Genetic Testing: Motivation & Family Communication - Physician's Weekly

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