Public Awareness and Use of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests: Results From 3 State Population-Based Surveys, 2006

Abstract

We conducted population-based surveys on direct-to-consumer nutrigenomic testing in Michigan, Oregon, and Utah as part of the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Awareness of the tests was highest in Oregon (24.4%) and lowest in Michigan (7.6%). Predictors of awareness were more education, higher income, and increasing age, except among those 65 years or older. Less than 1% had used a health-related direct-to-consumer genetic test. Public health systems should increase consumer and provider education and continue surveillance on direct-to-consumer genetic tests.

Awareness and Uptake of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Among Cancer Cases, Their Relatives, and Controls: The Northwest Cancer Genetics Network

“…Less than 1% of our study sample reported having had a DTC genetic test, which is very similar to findings from national surveys (Goddard et al, 2006;Kolor et al, 2009). However, over half of these participants gave discordant answers to questions assessing DTC use.…”

“…Awareness of DTC genetic testing was higher among this highly educated sample of individuals with cancer, their relatives, controls, and self-referrals compared to awareness in national studies (49% vs. 14% or 22%) (Goddard et al, 2006;Kolor et al, 2009). Whether they had a history of cancer or not, those who self-referred into the NWCGN study were more aware of DTC testing than were other participant types.…”

“…To assess this market, Goddard et al (2006) conducted a representative survey in three states asking about awareness and use of DTC genetic tests. They found that 14% of the population were aware of DTC genetic tests, and less than 1% had used this type of test.…”

Public opinion on policy issues in genetics and genomics

“…These results are similar to a three-state survey of nutrigenomic DTC testing in 2006 that found 14% of people were aware of companies and 0.6% had purchased tests. 6 In an Oregon-only sample for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Policy issues in genetics and genomics | ALMELING and GADARIAN…”

“…3 However, many studies are limited by samples that are unrepresentative of the general population, making it difficult to assess the generalizability of the results. [4][5][6] When national polls are conducted, the focus is usually limited to a single condition, such as cancer or depression. 7,8 Additionally, more attention has been given to how individuals respond to genetic risk [9][10][11] rather than assessing their policy opinions.…”