Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
More people would tell family about cancer genetic testing
A comparison of adult surveys from 2016 and 2026 found that social stigma around cancer has eased over the past decade.
The National Cancer Center said the share who would tell family they had genetic testing rose from 65% to 80%.
Genetic tests can help identify inherited cancer risk, making family awareness relevant to prevention.
But people were no more likely to recommend testing to relatives than they had been before.
Their willingness to have hereditary cancer tests or preventive surgery also showed no significant change.
The findings point to greater openness about testing, but not to increased interest in testing or preventive surgery.
The comparison does not indicate what further steps, if any, will follow.
A survey comparison found that more adults would tell family members they had undergone genetic testing.
The share who said they would disclose testing rose from 65% in 2016 to 80% in 2026.
Perceptions of social stigma toward people with cancer also improved over the decade.
There was no significant change in willingness to recommend testing to family or to undergo hereditary cancer testing or preventive surgery.
- Who
- Adults surveyed by the National Cancer Center.
- What
- More respondents said they would tell family they had undergone genetic testing.
- When
- The surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2026; the findings were reported on November 15, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The National Cancer Center conducted an adult survey.
A second adult survey was conducted, and results were compared with those from 2016.
The findings were reported.
- Willingness to tell family
- Rose from 65% in 2016 to 80% in 2026
- Survey organization
- National Cancer Center
- Survey years
- 2016 and 2026