Influences on genetic testing use by test type U.S. 2018

This statistic shows the percentage of U.S. adults that sought genetic testing due to select influencing factors as of 2018, by test type. According to the survey, 20 percent of those that had a commercially available test did so because of a general fear of cancer.

Percentage of U.S. adults that sought genetic testing due to select influences as of 2018, by test type

Characteristic	Genetic testing ordered by a doctor or genetic specialist (n=395)	Commercially available genetic/DNA/genealogy test (N=333)
Advice from my doctor	29%	17%
Family history of a particular cancer	18%	19%
A friend/family member who has gotten genetic/DNA testing	15%	15%
General fear of cancer	14%	20%
Something I saw/read in the media	11%	15%
A public figure/celebrity who has gotten a genetic/DNA test	10%	11%
Other	4%	2%

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Release date

October 2018

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

July 10 to August 10, 2018

Number of respondents

base: 4,038

Age group

18 years and older

Special properties

among those that have had a genetic test

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

Original question: "Which of the following influenced your decision the most to have a genetic/DNA test ordered/performed by your doctor or genetic specialist/a commercially available genetic/DNA/genealogy test to determine your risk for certain types of cancer?"

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