Prevalence of Genetic Cancer Testing among Community Health Fair Participants

Objective: There has been controversy over the use of genetic testing, with caution being advised by several professional and consumer organizations regarding its use. Analysis of the awareness of and prevalence of cancer genetic testing among participants of a community health fair is presented.

Methods: Adults age 18 and over of an annual community health fair held on April 2008 in Davie, Florida were invited to participate in a brief written 10-item questionnaire in either English or Spanish about cancer genetic testing. In addition to demographic questions on gender, age, race, education, employment and insurance status, the questionnaire asked participants four genetic cancer screening questions, specifically 1) having heard of genetic testing, 2) discussing it with a professional, 3) advised to get tested, and 4) ever had a genetic screening test. Descriptive statistics were performed on all study variables.

Results: Among the 117 completed questionnaires, overall, 38.4% of the participants heard of cancer genetic testing, with those younger than 44, of ‘Other' race, and with graduate education being more likely to have heard of genetic testing. In addition, 4.3% underwent testing in their lifetime, 8.5% discussed it with a professional, and 6.8% were advised to get tested. Participants of Asian descent, females, working part-time and with some college education were more likely to have been genetically screened for cancer.

Conclusion: Overall in this university community there appears a relatively well level of awareness of genetic testing. Further research is needed to understand reasons for having genetic tests performed.