Predictive genetics in primary care: expectations for the motivational impact of genetic testing affects the importance family physicians place on screening for familial cancer risk

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether the importance family physicians place on familial cancer-risk screening is influenced by expectations for the motivational impact of a high-risk genetic test result.

Methods: Mailed survey of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians.

Results: Respondents expected patients would increase pursuit of screening for cancer (99.6%) and other diseases (89.9%), quit smoking (93.6%), and improve diet/exercise (92.5%). The degree of motivational effect was significantly related to the importance they place on screening.

Conclusions: Family physicians believe that a high-risk cancer genetic-test result would motivate their patients to pursue risk-reduction behavior, and this belief is related to the importance they place on screening their patients for an inherited risk of cancer.