Due to remarkable advances in genetic technology, it has now become possible for individuals to know their genetic susceptibility to hereditary diseases such as colon cancer. However, little is known about the awareness of public toward genetic testing. This research aimed to study the awareness of genetic testing for hereditary cancer susceptibility and the factors that might affect such awareness among adults aged 20 and over in Japan. A cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaire (28 items) was conducted from November 2001 through July 2002. A random sample of 400 adults aged 20 and over, living in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, participated in this survey. Statistical analysis X2 test, t-test, Wilcoxon's rank sum test were used. The response proportion was 52.9% (n=203). The average age (years) of respondents were 47.9±17.2 (average±SD) for male, and 45.3±15.9 for female. There were significant differences between worrying about confidentiality and impression of hereditary cancer (p<0.01), and between worrying about confidentiality and existence of an examination for cancer (p<0.001). Awareness of the subjects for genetic testing included less consideration rather than know ing the word. The respondents also showed worrying about confidentiality. As genetic testing is predicted to be more frequent in the future, the merit of genetic testing is necessary to be dis cussed further.
