Poles are afraid of genetic testing. More than a third of us are afraid of such tests. As many as 66 per cent believe that such a test may mean a verdict, i.e. information about an illness for which nothing can be done. These are the conclusions of a study conducted by the ARC Rynek i Opinia Research Institute as part of the educational campaign Genetics Saves Life.
The survey "Poles' attitude to genetics" was conducted on a representative group of Poles (N=1000). It clearly shows that our compatriots do not understand the essence of genetic testing, are afraid of visiting a laboratory and believe that they cannot afford to know their DNA.
We do not equate genetics with health
Only 5 per cent of Poles equate genetics with health, and thus the prevention of diseases or the possibility of treatment. Genetic testing is an important tool that already supports medical diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. The term genetics itself is generally associated with heredity (33 per cent of indications), with science and biology (20 per cent) and with DNA itself (19 per cent). The low public awareness of genetic research is mainly due to the misinformation that circulates around the field and the lack of accessible, understandable sources. Many people see genetics as complicated and therefore reserved for scientists. All this prevents us from seeing that the advances made in this branch of medicine are already changing our lives for the better and are the result of natural scientific development. We ourselves are unknowingly giving up one of the most effective tools for health prevention," says Dr. Juliusz Unrug, Genetics Analyst and organiser of the 'Genetics Saves Lives' campaign.
We are afraid of genetic testing
One in three Poles (33 per cent of respondents) admit to feeling fear of this type of examination. There is a lack of awareness of how it works and, above all, what it is used for. Disseminating knowledge about genetic testing, conducting educational campaigns, allows to "disenchant" genetics, show its real power and value. - The association of genetics with disease is twice as frequent as with health, while 2/3 of respondents adhere to genetic fatalism - the belief that the detection of a genetic disease means a sentence without appeal. As a result, many potential patients do not see genetic testing as an opportunity to increase control over their own lives, but on the contrary, as a threat to their own subjectivity and agency. This is the first barrier. The second barrier relates to the general accessibility of health care. Under the current system, we are used to having to either wait a long time or pay a lot for specialised tests and treatments. The perception of the availability of genetic testing probably reflects the perception of the availability of health care in general, says Dr. Adam Ostolski, from the Department of Sociology, University of Warsaw.
Genetic testing can provide important, life-saving information. Meeting with a specialist in genetics can dispel doubts about whether we should undergo testing, which test to take and what the results might mean. By properly interpreting the results, we can find out if we have a predisposition and increased risk of both cancer and non-cancerous diseases, such as heart and circulatory diseases: heart attack, thrombosis, atherosclerosis or stroke, and how to take preventive action to minimise them. Tests can also clarify the cause of spontaneous miscarriages or infertility, and determine the risk of a genetically determined disease in the offspring. - Knowledge allows the disease to be avoided or diagnosed at an early stage by taking preventive and precautionary measures. More frequent genetic testing also means more effective cancer treatment. Cancer patients, with a correctly performed diagnostic pathway, have the opportunity to receive molecularly targeted therapy, which significantly affects their quality and length of life. Improving the organisational model of molecular diagnostics will have a significant impact on the future of personalised treatment, i.e. treatment targeted at a specific patient in oncology, among other areas," says Dr N. Med. Andrzej Tysarowski, head of the Laboratory of Genetic and Molecular Tumour Diagnosis of the National Cancer Institute in Warsaw.
If genetic is it expensive?
Poles are afraid of genetic testing not only because of concerns about their own health. Finances are an equally important factor. An opinion poll shows that 61 per cent of Poles consider genetic tests to be very expensive. Meanwhile, this price is decreasing every year. The first reading of human genes took place in 2003 and cost USD 3 billion (Human Genome Project). Nowadays, the price of genetic testing ranges from about PLN 200 to several thousand, depending on how many genes are tested. Some genetic tests are already funded by the National Health Fund and can be referred by any doctor, whether a general practitioner or a specialist.
Source: cowzdrowiu.pl