Table 1.
Qualitative explanations obtained immediately following genetic counseling and test reporting of whether and how participants in each group believed it was possible for them to prevent a future melanoma.
| Unaffected Noncarriers (n=26) | Unaffected carriers (n=13) | Affected carriers (n=18) | Total (n=57) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||||||
| n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
| Possible for you to prevent future melanomas? | ||||||||
| Yes | 18 | 69.2 | 8 | 61.5 | 11 | 61.1 | 37 | 64.9 |
| Can reduce but not eliminate risk | 8 | 30.8 | 5 | 38.5 | 3 | 16.7 | 16 | 28.1 |
| Maybe | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 11.1 | 2 | 3.5 |
| No | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 11.1 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Reasons why it is or is not possible to prevent a future melanoma | ||||||||
| Use Precautionary Behaviors to Protect Skin | 22 | 84.6a | 11 | 84.6a | 6 | 33.3b | 39 | 68.4 |
| Limit sun exposure | 14 | 53.8 | 7 | 53.8 | 1 | 5.6 | 22 | 38.6 |
| Unspecified (Can take precautions to reduce the chance of developing melanoma) | 5 | 19.2 | 5 | 38.5 | 5 | 27.8 | 15 | 26.3 |
| Use proper sunscreen | 5 | 19.2 | 2 | 15.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 12.3 |
| Wear protective clothing or hats | 3 | 11.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 5.3 |
| Avoid tanning beds | 1 | 3.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.8 |
| Practice Regular Screening | 13 | 50.0a | 3 | 23.1b | 10 | 55.6a | 26 | 45.6 |
| Early detection and removal of questionable moles or dysplastic nevi | 6 | 23.1 | 2 | 15.4 | 7 | 38.9 | 15 | 26.3 |
| Skin self-exams | 6 | 23.1 | 1 | 7.7 | 6 | 33.3 | 13 | 22.8 |
| Annual total body skin exams | 4 | 15.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 11.1 | 6 | 10.5 |
| Unspecified mention of screening | 4 | 15.4 | 1 | 7.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 8.8 |
| Genetic Factors | 4 | 15.4 | 1 | 7.7 | 1 | 5.6 | 6 | 11.0 |
| p16 gene can lead to cancer | 1 | 3.8 | 1 | 7.7 | 1 | 5.6 | 3 | 5.3 |
| Negative status reduces risk, but the presence of other risk factors means must still be careful | 2 | 7.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Negative status means not at risk | 1 | 3.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.8 |
| Additional Factors | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 15.4 | 1 | 5.6 | 3 | 5.3 |
| Can reduce risk by diet | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 15.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Can take care of ourselves | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 5.6 | 1 | 1.8 |
| There is always new research | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 5.6 | 1 | 1.8 |
Notes. Totals for each bolded major category (e.g., Use Precautionary Behaviors to Protect Skin) consist of the number of participants who mentioned one or more of the subcategories. Major category percentages with differing superscripts differed between groups according to Fisher’s exact tests (p<.05; if italicized, p<.10)