Table 3.
Participants’ perception of genetic research, N = 30
| Survey items | Total n (%) |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | |
| Have you heard about genetic screening for certain cancers such as breast (BRCA testing)? | |
| Yes | 22 (73.3) |
| No | 8 (26.7) |
| Have you heard about genetic screening for other adult onset potentially deadly diseases such as Huntington’s disease? | |
| Yes | 12 (40.0) |
| No | 18 (60.0) |
| Attitude and beliefs | |
| If you were genetically tested for cancer or other diseases, would you want to know the results? | |
| Yes | 25 (86.2) |
| No | 4 (13.8) |
| If you were to get genetic testing results that said you were at low risk for a disease, how likely would you be to share the results with your family? | |
| Very likely | 19 (63.3) |
| Somewhat likely | 7 (23.3) |
| Unsure | 4 (13.3) |
| Somewhat unlikely | 0 |
| Very unlikely | 0 |
| If you were to get genetic testing results that said you were at high risk for a disease, how likely would you be to share the results with your family? | |
| Very likely | 17 (56.7) |
| Somewhat likely | 3 (10.0) |
| Unsure | 10 (33.3) |
| Somewhat unlikely | 0 |
| Very unlikely | 0 |
| Do you think having a positive result to a genetic test guarantees you will get cancer or that disease? | |
| Yes | 4 (13.3) |
| No | 26 (86.7) |
| Do you think knowing you are at high risk for cancer or other potentially deadly disease would influence your decision to have children? | |
| Very likely | 2 (7.14) |
| Somewhat likely | 7 (25.0) |
| Unsure | 11 (39.3) |
| Somewhat unlikely | 2 (7.14) |
| Very unlikely | 6 (21.4) |
| Do you think getting a positive result would get you to change your lifestyle, for example quit smoking or eat better? | |
| Very likely | 17 (56.7) |
| Somewhat likely | 13 (43.3) |
| Unsure | 0 |
| Somewhat unlikely | 0 |
| Very unlikely | 0 |
| Do you think recent advances in genetics such as screening and personalized medicine are generally good or bad? | |
| Very good | 16 (53.3) |
| Somewhat good | 8 (26.7) |
| Unsure | 6 (20.0) |
| Somewhat bad | 0 |
| Very bad | 0 |
| Are you afraid scientists will go “too far” with genetic advances (e.g., designer babies or cloning people)? | |
| Very afraid | 2 (6.67) |
| Somewhat afraid | 12 (40.0) |
| Unsure | 9 (30.0) |
| Not afraid | 4 (13.3) |
| Not afraid at all | 3 (10.0) |
| Do you think celebrities and the media influence public perception of genetic testing? | |
| A lot | 7 (23.3) |
| Somewhat | 19 (63.3) |
| Unsure | 4 (13.3) |
| Very little | 0 |
| Not at all | 0 |
| Barriers | |
| How would you rate each of the following sentences as reasons why you would not get genetic testing | |
| Afraid of what results would say: | |
| Major reason | 4 (13.3) |
| Minor reason | 12 (40.0) |
| Not a reason | 14 (46.7) |
| Afraid your insurance company would know the results: | |
| Major reason | 5 (16.7) |
| Minor reason | 12 (40.0) |
| Not a reason | 13 (43.3) |
| Afraid of telling your family: | |
| Major reason | 0 |
| Minor reason | 10 (33.3) |
| Not a reason | 20 (66.7) |
| Afraid of being fired from your job: | |
| Major reason | 1 (3.33) |
| Minor reason | 3 (10.0) |
| Not a reason | 26 (86.7) |
| Afraid you couldn’t do anything about it (doomed feeling): | |
| Major reason | 6 (20.00) |
| Minor reason | 10 (33.3) |
| Not a reason | 14 (46.7) |
| Afraid you doctor will not keep the results private: | |
| Major reason | 1 (3.33) |
| Minor reason | 7 (23.3) |
| Not a reason | 22 (73.3) |
| Did not know it was an option: | |
| Major reason | 3 (10.0) |
| Minor reason | 6 (20.0) |
| Not a reason | 21 (70.0) |
| The cost: | |
| Major reason | 11 (36.7) |
| Minor reason | 14 (46.7) |
| Not a reason | 5 (16.7) |
| Not offered at a clinic near me: | |
| Major reason | 9 (30.0) |
| Minor reason | 12 (43.3) |
| Not a reason | 9 (26.7) |
| No genetic counselor nearby to discuss results: | |
| Major reason | 9 (30.0) |
| Minor reason | 13 (43.3) |
| Not a reason | 8 (26.7) |
| No time: | |
| Major reason | 2 (6.90) |
| Minor reason | 7 (24.1) |
| Not a reason | 20 (69.0) |