Attitudes Towards Colorectal Cancer Screening in Lynch Syndrome Families: How Do They Change from Pre-Test Genetic Counseling to 6 and 12-Months Post-Disclosure?

Background Adherence to colonoscopy recommendations can reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the use of colonoscopy among persons at risk for Lynch syndrome prior to clinical genetic testing (CGT) and how notification of mutation carrier status affects screening behaviors. The goal of this study was to evaluate colonoscopy use and attitudes towards CRC screening among unaffected relatives of Lynch syndrome mutation carriers before pre-test genetic counseling (baseline) and 6 and 12 months after disclosure of the test results. The primary outcomes of interest were colonoscopy utilization, commitment to screening for colonoscopy, self-efficacy regarding screening adherence, and the benefits, barriers, and efficacy of CRC screening.