Genetic Counseling for Melanoma and Adherence to Prevention Behaviors

This project, led by Dr. Glanz, is a sub-project of Dr. Katrina Armstrong's Go Grant: Comparative Effectiveness in Genomic Medicine. Increasing adherence to melanoma prevention behaviors among individuals with a familial predisposition to melanoma is an important public health goal. The role of genetic testing for CDKN2A/p16 and MC1R mutations in the management of families with a predisposition to melanoma is uncertain, in part because there is very little evidence about how testing and counseling affects patient concerns and adherence to preventive recommendations. This proof-of-principle study used a randomized trial design to provide early evidence about the comparative effectiveness of genetic testing and counseling on behavioral outcomes by requesting information about family medical history, sun exposure/protection behaviors and knowledge and risk perception of skin cancers as well as providing genetic counseling that includes genetic test results and feedback to those patients in the intervention arm.

 

Funded by the National Institutes of Health

ABOUT CHBR

Established in 2009, the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Health Behavior Research is an institution-wide collaborative effort, dedicated to conducting health behavior research, fostering advances in measurement of health behaviors, advancing the use of health behavior theory, and promoting collaboration among faculty, fellows and students. 

LOCATION

  

CONTACT US

Center for Heath Behavior Research
University of Pennsylvania
837 Blockley Hall
423 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021

Office Number: 215-573-4529
Fax Number: 215-573-5315