How do individuals decide whether to accept or decline an offer of genetic testing for colorectal cancer?

Background Since 1997, the Victorian Colorectal Cancer Family Study (VCCFS) has been studying a large number of individuals who have had colorectal cancer and their relatives. When a genetic mutation is identified by the VCCFS, family members are offered the chance to have genetic testing through a family cancer clinic to learn of their result. Between 17% (before August 2003) and 49% (after August 2003) of individuals offered genetic testing decline the offer [1], providing a unique opportunity to conduct research with individuals who decline genetic testing. Understanding this decision making process is critical to improving the uptake of genetic testing in practice [2].