Linda Smith
Capstone Project Committee: Nancy Callanan, M.S., CGC, Bao-Li Chiang, Ph.D., Scott Richter, Ph.D. (Statistical Consultant), Aubrey Turner, M.S., CGC
This study was done to see if men utilized an information sheet regarding prostate cancer to communicate about prostate cancer with family members that was mailed to them after participation in a larger study of genes and nutrition in prostate cancer. The information sheet discussed the heritability of prostate cancer, screening recommendations per the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society, and suggestions for discussing prostate cancer. Telephone interviews were held with the participants, and questions asked to determine what information was shared with family members. Themes were developed using the grounded theory method. Overall, the participants shared their prostate cancer diagnoses with family members in a relatively prompt fashion. However, most men had received the bulk of their information from their doctors and did not use the information sheet when discussing prostate cancer and risk with family members. Future studies might include giving men information at different time points or perhaps finding other ways to deliver this information to men that have not yet shared their diagnoses with family members.