Knowledge and Attitude of Physicians, Cancer Patients and Public about Cancer Related Genetic Tests in Saudi Arabia

• Main Author: Alsubaie, Lamia Fahad
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: genetics; middle eastern studies; oncology; public health
• ISBN: 9781321858556; 1321858558

Due to the unique religious and cultural characteristics of Saudi Arabia, evaluating knoweldge and exploring attitudes toward cancer genetic tests (CGT) are important for bolstering currently underdeveloped CGT services. This cross sectional study was carried out in the form of a survey, targeting three different populations: physicians (n=105), cancer patients (n=102) and public participants (n=1087). The public cohort recorded a knowledge score (M=7.16, Mdn=7.00,SD=2.58) higher than patients cohort (M=4.98,Mdn=5.00,SD=2.95). Both patient and public participants expressed interest in CGT. Willingness to undergo CGT correlated with high knowledge in the public cohort (r (1083)= .12, p<.001), while the patient cohort was only willing in the context of a positive family history of cancer (r (100) =.29, p<0.01). Attitudes toward CGT were not correlated with religiosity, fear of stigma, or privacy in the public cohort. Out of these variables; religiosity was coorelated with positive attitude toward genetic services in patient cohort (e.g. willingness to see a genetic counselor (Chi-square(4)=10.33, p<.05). Despite the unavailability of cancer genetic clinics in the area; 79.1% of physicians reported expectations in increasing the number of patients who will be interested in CGT, 63.8% strongly agreed that patients should not undergo CGT without counseling, and 100% said they would refer some or all of their applicable patients should a clinic open up. Physicians' self-reported qualifications, attitudes toward CGT, and confounding factors were also investigated, and showed significant amounts of uncertainty regarding many aspects of CGT amongst the respondents; including clinical utility, cost effectiveness, discrimination and patient confidentiality. To conclude, there is an overall positive attitude toward cancer genetic services in Saudi society. Public health actions to enhance cancer genetic services should be implemented to recognize and improve care for high-risk families.