While families at increased risk for familial breast/ovarian cancer continue to overestimate their cancer risk with increased cancer worries about the future, few studies have examined factors that affect inherited cancer risk perception and cancer worries in both survivors and unaffected female relatives. The purpose of this study was to examine variables that may affect cancer worries and risk perceptions from a family-based perspective in a racially diverse, community-based, random sample of 146 dyads consisting of adult female breast and/or ovarian cancer survivors and their unaffected female relatives (N = 292). Results indicated that coping style, self-efficacy, partner’s income, family role relationship, and cancer risk perception were significant contributors to the survivors’ and their unaffected relatives’ cancer worries. Significant variables for perception of cancer risk for both survivors and relatives included income, race, family history of cancer, and cancer worries. Relatives had a higher perception of cancer risk, whereas survivors had more cancer worries. Additionally, the level of cancer worries reported by one member of the dyad was related to the amount of worries reported by the other. The results from this study underscore the importance of clinicians addressing concerns of both affected and unaffected members of families at increased risk of cancer to assist them in managing cancer worries and having realistic risk appraisals to make informed decisions about their own and their family’s health surveillance options.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with decision making about inherited cancer risk information within families and determine the interdependence between survivors’ and relatives’ decision making. Design A descriptive, cross-sectional design using a population-based sample of 146 dyads (N=292) was used. Analyses included multilevel modeling using the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model Main Outcome Measure Decision making was the main outcome, along with the pros and cons in making a decision regarding inherited cancer risk information. Results Overall, results indicate several individual and family factors that survivors and female relatives contribute toward their own and each other’s decision making about inherited cancer risk information. Individual factors included the individual’s perceptions of their family communication and their family’s cancer history. Among family dyadic factors, survivors and family members’ age, communication and coping style influenced the decision making of the other member of the dyad. Cancer worries and a monitoring coping style affected both seeking and avoiding decision making for survivors and their relatives. Conclusions In view of the importance of genetic information upon family health outcomes, it is critical to address both individual and family factors that may influence decision making about cancer risk information and surveillance options for all members within the family.

Background-African American women more often present with more aggressive types of breast cancer than Caucasian women, but little is known whether genetic polymorphisms specific to or disproportionate in African Americans are associated with their risk of breast cancer.

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