Motivations for genetic testing for lung cancer risk among young smokers. Issue 6 (28th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Neill, Suzanne C; Lipkus, Isaac M; Sanderson, Saskia C; Shepperd, James; Docherty, Sharron; McBride, Colleen M
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 22:Issue 6(2013)
• Page Start: 406
• Page End: 411
• Publication Date: 2012-06-28
• Subjects: Motivations -- primary prevention -- genetic testing -- GSTM1 -- prevention -- cessation -- addiction; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To examine why young people might want to undergo genetic susceptibility testing for lung cancer despite knowing that tested gene variants are associated with small increases in disease risk. Methods: The authors used a mixed-method approach to evaluate motives for and against genetic testing and the association between these motivations and testing intentions in 128 college students who smoke. Results: Exploratory factor analysis yielded four reliable factors: Test Scepticism, Test Optimism, Knowledge Enhancement and Smoking Optimism . Test Optimism and Knowledge Enhancement correlated positively with intentions to test in bivariate and multivariate analyses (ps<0.001). Test Scepticism correlated negatively with testing intentions in multivariate analyses (p<0.05). Open-ended questions assessing testing motivations generally replicated themes of the quantitative survey. Conclusion: In addition to learning about health risks, young people may be motivated to seek genetic testing for reasons, such as gaining knowledge about new genetic technologies more broadly.