The overall goal of this four-year competitive renewal application is to extend work on the characterization of psychosocial aspects of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). In the current application, the investigators propose three interrelated phases of their research. In the first phase, they will extend the research undertaken during the initial grant period which consists of a prospective descriptive study of psychosocial aspects of molecular testing for HNPCC in colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of CRC cases who are found to be carriers of an HNPCC mutation, and the spouses/partners (S/Ps) of the FDRs. In the second phase they will study psychosocial issues related to participation in a phase II randomized, controlled chemoprevention trial for HNPCC involving adherence to a Cox II inhibitor and periodic check-ups over a year period. In the third phase, the investigators will focus on the family as a unit for study of genetic testing and counseling. The investigators believe that a unifying theme in this research is the investigation of the psychological (e.g., distress, worry, coping style) and social and family processes (e.g., social support and family networks) that affect individuals' willingness to undergo medical tests and procedures that may be beneficial in the early detection and/or prevention of disease. The investigators indicate that their preliminary findings show that certain subgroups of individuals participating in genetic testing studies may be particularly distressed during this process and may need more intensive follow-up or interventions to facilitate adjustment following disclosure of the test results. The study population is comprised of cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum seen at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, FDRs of CRC cases who are found to be carriers of an HNPCC mutation, and the S/Ps of the FDRs. Outcome measures for the proposed research include: (1) donation of a blood sample for genetic testing; (2) willingness to inform relatives about HNPCC status; (3) completion of genetic counseling for test results disclosure; (4) psychological status/well being; and (5) adherence of recommended surveillance procedures. The investigators believe that the significance of this research lies in the recently developed ability to identify, through molecular testing, those individuals carrying genetic mutations that place them at significantly increased risk for developing HNPCC. CRC is one of the few cancers for which there are effective early detection and prevention strategies. Through molecular testing, the investigators hope to indentify a subpopulation of individuals upon whom to focus early detection resources and to maximize their efforts to increase resources to adherence to surveillance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HG001200-05
Application #
2889661
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-GNM (01))
Program Officer
Thomson, Elizabeth
Project Start
1994-09-30
Project End
2001-07-31
Budget Start
1999-08-01
Budget End
2000-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
001910777
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
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Palmquist, Aunchalee E L; Koehly, Laura M; Peterson, Susan K et al. (2010) ""The cancer bond"": exploring the formation of cancer risk perception in families with Lynch syndrome. J Genet Couns 19:473-86
Pentz, Rebecca D; Peterson, Susan K; Watts, Beatty et al. (2005) Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer family members' perceptions about the duty to inform and health professionals' role in disseminating genetic information. Genet Test 9:261-8
Gritz, Ellen R; Peterson, Susan K; Vernon, Sally W et al. (2005) Psychological impact of genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 23:1902-10
Peterson, Susan K; Watts, Beatty G; Koehly, Laura M et al. (2003) How families communicate about HNPCC genetic testing: findings from a qualitative study. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 119C:78-86
Koehly, Laura M; Peterson, Susan K; Watts, Beatty G et al. (2003) A social network analysis of communication about hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer genetic testing and family functioning. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 12:304-13
Vernon, S W; Gritz, E R; Peterson, S K et al. (1999) Intention to learn results of genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8:353-60
Vernon, S W; Gritz, E R; Peterson, S K et al. (1997) Correlates of psychologic distress in colorectal cancer patients undergoing genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer. Health Psychol 16:73-86
Vernon, S W; Gritz, E R; Peterson, S K et al. (1997) Design and methodology of a study of psychosocial aspects of genetic testing for hereditary colorectal cancer. Ann N Y Acad Sci 833:190-4