Awareness and concern about ovarian cancer among women at risk because of a family history of breast or ovarian cancer

Research on women at risk for breast cancer because of family history suggests that a substantial proportion need education and counseling to assist them in their efforts to understand their risk of breast cancer and that some do not get appropriate breast cancer screening. Although women at high genetic risk for breast cancer are at elevated risk for ovarian cancer as well, few studies have examined these women's needs for education and counseling about ovarian cancer risk. This study examined awareness of ovarian cancer, perceived risk of breast and ovarian cancer, interest in genetic testing, and use of screening for breast and ovarian cancer in a population-based sample of women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer because of a strong family history of cancer at one or both sites. We found that most high-risk women are not getting the information and care they need with respect to their risk for ovarian cancer. Almost 75% have not heard much about their risk for ovarian cancer. More than 90% failed to use 1 or another of 2 possible tests used for ovarian cancer screening regularly.