Table 2.

Sample quotes from focus group

Categories	Participant quotes
1. Knowledge gap about cancer-related genetic counseling and testing	AA	“I wonder why it was a question at all if genetic testing should be available because if there is a way to just be knowledgeable about what is going on with your body, anybody, I would think that would just be automatic, instead of just being offered now.”
	L	“I’m 43 and I have never been offered a genetic test and it’s, you know, I have been sitting here thinking about I have been going to the same person or the same clinic for 10 years and never once have they said maybe we should do this or maybe we should do that.”
2. Cancer is feared and (often) fatal	AA	“I (also) think of death, it’s like there is nothing to help. The result is going to be death.” “…if they were given that death sentence that is how I take it, at least give them some hope.”
	L	“Limited time. You have(an) expiration date.” “It is unexpected and whatever happens it takes life really fast.”
3. Perceived risk of cancer-related genetic testing	AA	“I feel like I am a test bunny or a lab rat.” “Who is getting the data and that results (…) how are you insuring that is not going to be used for some side business that they want to sneak with?”
	L	“… they think that if you do the genetic testing, that is going to diagnose to whether or not you are going to have a cancer.” “I don’t want to be a guinea pig for you.”
4. Limited benefits to participate in cancer-related genetic counseling and testing	AA	“It doesn’t necessarily cure anything it just lets you know what runs in your lineage.” “What would that do for me? It would do nothing for me.”
	L	“It’s the fear, because of the misconception of what that is going to be doing (…) they think that if you do the genetic testing, that is going to diagnose (…)” “(…) it doesn’t address the benevolence.” “They even tell you that ‘Don’t worry we are going to pay you forever…so what?’ I am going to be your guinea pig forever. No way, Jose.”
5. Cancer-related genetic testing communication must be culturally tailored	AA	“They just need somebody to explain it to them (…) in a way that they can understand because that is just something else.” “Start networking then we can exchange information and support each other.” “Communicating in plain simple clear language, the same thing that everybody else couldn’t get.” “(…) in the black culture, you wouldn’t even know why, that would be grown folk’s business.” “Are you explaining it not just in medical terms, but in the vernacular that they can understand?”
	L	“Education, information is power.” “… explain what is going to happen and why is this done and what are the benefits not for yourself but for the community. I think that more people would do it.” “Come and talk to my level and tell me the right thing.” “(…) explain things on the radio, something on the paper… You have to go out and spread the word and explain as much and as easy as you can.”

AA African American, L Latinos