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PubMed1999

Hepatitis G virus infections in Iceland.

This study describes the prevalence of hepatitisG virus (HGV) in Iceland, in blood donors and in persons with parenteral risk factors. Among 370 randomly selected Icelandic blood donors, the prevalence of HGV viraemia was 3.8%, whereas the prevalence of HGV antibodies in the same donor group was found to be 13.2%, thus indicating that at least 17% of blood donors in Iceland had previously been exposed to HGV. Previous exposure was seen in all age groups and also in older blood donors. Among intravenous drug users (IVDUs), the prevalence of HGV was much higher. Among 109 hepatitisC virus (HCV) antibody-positive serum samples collected in the years 1992-1997, 33. 9% were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive for HGV and 48.6% had HGV antibodies. Thus, the pattern of HGV in IVDUs was similar to findings among IVDUs in other western countries. HGV viraemia was detected neither in 10 patients with haemophilia nor in five dialysis patients. However, six of the 10 haemophilic patients and one of the five dialysis patients had HGV antibody. In conclusion, unlike hepatitis C, which seems to have been introduced into Iceland relatively recently and has remained virtually confined to IVDUs, exposure to HGV is common among all age groups in the general population, suggesting that the virus has been prevalent in Iceland for much longer, making additional routes of transmission probable.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiology of penicillin resistant pneumococci in Iceland.

The prevalence of penicillin-resistant pneumococci (PRP) has been increasing, with the highest levels reported from countries with relatively unrestricted antimicrobial use. It has been low in northern Europe except Iceland, which is disconcerting as antimicrobial use in Iceland has been relatively restricted. This suggests that other factors may facilitate their spread. By studying their epidemiology and possible risk factors for carriage, we have attempted to explain their rapid spread in Iceland. The incidence of infections caused by PRP (as percentage of infections considered due to pneumococci) has increased from 0% in 1988 to 2.3% in 1989, 2.7% in 1990, 8.4% in 1991, 16.3% in 1992, and 19.8% in 1993. The infections have mainly affected 0- to 3-year-old children (71.4%), and the PRP belonged almost exclusively to serogroups 6, 19, and 23 (98.8%). Most were serotype 6B multiresistant (75%; resistant to penicillin (MIC = 1.0), cephalothin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, sulfonamides, and trimethoprim), and believed to belong to a single clone originating from Spain. The PRP have been prevalent in healthy children, 0-10% nasopharyngeal carriage, especially in day-care centers, with the highest prevalence in areas that had the highest antimicrobial consumption. Recent antimicrobial consumption, especially of trimethoprim-sulfa, appeared to increase PRP carriage. The rapid spread of PRP in Iceland may have been facilitated by high antimicrobial consumption in day-care centers (especially of trimethoprim-sulfa) which are attended by the majority of Icelandic children.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Population-based study of changing breast cancer risk in Icelandic BRCA2 mutation carriers, 1920-2000.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the BRCA genes increase the risk of breast cancer. Valid estimates of the magnitude of the lifetime risk of breast cancer in BRCA gene mutation carriers are needed for genetic counseling. Recent results suggest that penetrance has increased in recent birth cohorts. We examined the cumulative breast cancer incidence and mortality before age 70 over a diagnosis period of 80 years in Icelandic women who carried the BRCA2 founder mutation 999del5. METHODS: Information on all breast cancers diagnosed in Iceland since 1911 was obtained from the Icelandic Cancer Registry. Mutation status was determined by molecular analysis of tissue samples for 847 breast cancer probands who were diagnosed from 1921 through 1985 and selected without knowledge of family history of breast cancer. We estimated the cumulative incidence and mortality from breast cancer before age 70 years in BRCA2 mutation carriers from the observed risks in first-degree relatives who were classified according to mutation status of probands and followed-up through 2002. Poisson modeling of these risks was also carried out. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Of the 847 probands, 88 carried the BRCA2 999del5 mutation and 759 did not. According to Poisson modeling, the cumulative incidence of breast cancer before age 70 years in mutation carriers increased from 18.6% (95% CI = 11.0% to 29.5%) in calendar year 1920 to 71.9% (95% CI = 45.9% to 100%) in 2002 (P < .001); in relatives of probands who did not carry the BRCA2 mutation and in the general Icelandic population incidence increased over the same period from 2.6% to 10.7% and from 1.8% to 7.5%, respectively (all increases of approximately fourfold). During the same period, the cumulative risk of death from breast cancer before age 70 years for BRCA2 mutation carriers increased from 12.1% (95% CI = 5.3% to 23.9%) to 26.9% (95% CI = 10.9% to 55.5%) (P = .08). However, because the probands were breast cancer patients and not a random sample from the population, some bias in the estimation of time trends in penetrance cannot be ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the penetrance of the Icelandic BRCA2 founder mutation increased nearly fourfold in 80 years, whereas the risk of death from breast cancer before age 70 years increased only approximately twofold. Changes in penetrance with time should be considered when penetrance is estimated.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of liver cirrhosis morbidity and mortality in Iceland.

BACKGROUND: The mortality from liver cirrhosis in Iceland is the lowest in the Western world. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology of liver cirrhosis mortality and morbidity in Iceland and to obtain a reliable separation between alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) by using multiple data sources. METHODS: The study included the whole population of Iceland. Mortality was studied through death certificate data for the period 1951-90 and morbidity (clinical incidence) through hospital, autopsy and biopsy records for the period 1971-90. RESULTS: The average mortality for AC in age group 20 years and older was 8.6 and for NAC 19.2 per 10(6)/year and the average clinical incidence was 22.1 per 10(6)/year for AC and 25.9 per 10(6)/year for NAC. In the morbidity study 44% of cases were due to AC. In the mortality study 24% of cases were due to AC but the data suggested an underreporting of AC for males at a rate of 30%. There was a significant decrease in AC mortality with time but no change in NAC. Average alcohol consumption of inhabitants aged over 15 years increased from 2.1 to 4.9 litres per year (130%) during the period 1951-90. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cirrhosis in Iceland is very low for both AC and NAC, accounting for only 0.2% of total deaths. The reasons are unknown. The low incidence of AC in Iceland is probably partly due to low alcohol consumption. The decreasing incidence of AC despite 130% increase in alcohol consumption is thought to be due to intensive treatment of alcoholism. A low prevalence of hepatitis B and C probably contributes to the low incidence of NAC.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Molecular characterization of clonal population structure and biogeography of arctic apomictic Daphnia from Greenland and Iceland.

As part of a continuing international project to characterize the population genetic (clonal) structure of arctic members of the Daphnia pulex complex, 34 populations from western Iceland (N = 1373), and 76 populations from western Greenland (N = 2917), were surveyed for allozymic variation at six polymorphic enzyme loci. Mean clonal richness (+/- SE) was 1.91 +/- 0.19 and 1.50 +/- 0.12 for Iceland and Greenland populations, respectively. Mean clonal diversity (+/-1 SE) was 1.20 +/- 0.07 and 1.13 +/- 0.04 for Iceland and Greenland populations, respectively. Four widely distributed clones constituted 92.2% of the total animals surveyed from Iceland, while three locally abundant clones constituted 80.1% of the total animals collected primarily from Disko Island, western Greenland. Selected populations were screened for mitochondrial (mt)DNA variation using PCR-based RFLP analysis of a 2100 bp fragment containing part of the ND4 and ND5 genes. One mtDNA haplotype was very widespread in both western Greenland and western Iceland, although, a number of mutational derivatives were also detected. These data indicate the potential for long-distance dispersal of mtDNA lineages, of the order of hundreds or thousands of kilometers across the arctic. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of a 254 base pair (bp) fragment of the control region of the mtDNA molecule revealed two major clades one of which consisted solely of non-melanic lineages, and the other of which consisted almost exclusively of melanic lineages (i.e. one non-melanic lineage also clustered in this clade). Sequence divergence between the two clades averaged 7.3%. Both mitochondrial analyses did not reveal any distinct intraregional clustering of lineages. We discuss our results in reference to previous molecular work done on this arctic Daphnia complex, and we attempt to infer phylogeographic patterning based on geological/glaciological historical events in this region of the arctic.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Familial risk of prostate cancer in Iceland.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of prostate and other types of cancer among relatives of Icelandic men diagnosed with prostate cancer over a 5-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The risk ratio (RR) was used to estimate the risk among relatives of 371 patients with prostate cancer, all of whom lived in Iceland and were diagnosed when alive over a 5-year interval (1983-7). Information on cancer incidence was obtained from the population-based Icelandic Cancer Registry, and information on families from a comprehensive genealogical database covering the population of Iceland. RESULTS: First-degree male relatives were at a 1.7-fold greater age-adjusted risk of prostate cancer (1832 men; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.28-2.34). The risk was independent of proband's age at diagnosis. First-degree male relatives of patients who died from prostate cancer were at a statistically significantly greater risk of the disease (784 men; RR 2.17; 95% CI 1.34-3.53) and relatives of patients with incidental disease (T1a) were at a greater risk but not statistically significant so (261; RR 1.86; 95% CI 0.75-4.58). Female first-degree relatives were not at greater risk of breast cancer. The risk of kidney cancer was higher in first- and second-degree female relatives, with an RR (n, CI) of 2.50 (1780, 1.10-5.66) and 2.67 (5534, 1.04-6.81), respectively. The risk of kidney cancer was not statistically significantly greater in male relatives. CONCLUSION: Family history is a risk factor for prostate cancer in Icelandic men. The risk is potentially higher for relatives of patients who die from the disease. Female relatives are not at greater risk of breast cancer but they may be at greater risk of kidney cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

High levodopa use in periodically time-clustered, Icelandic birth cohorts. A vestige of parkinsonism etiology? Europarkinson Preparatory Activity Research Group.

We evaluated levodopa use (LDU) by the Icelandic population focusing on: 1) annual gross levodopa (LD) sales from wholesalers to pharmacies for the period 1978-1990, using a reported method; 2) data from a prescription survey conducted from October 1st, 1990 to March 31st, 1991; and 3)raw and reported data on prevalences of Parkinson's disease (PD) in 1963 in this country. The standard for adjustments and reference population for LDU comparisons was the Swedish in 1984. Crude gross sales of LD in Iceland in 1990 and in Sweden in 1984 amounted to 1.67 and 1.35 DDD/1000 person days respectively. After respective adjustments for age, and for age and the infant mortality rates, taken as an indicator of health care quality, LDU in Iceland in 1990 was found to be 1.82 and 1.63 (95% CI 1.47-1.89) times that for Sweden. Prevalences of LD-prescription recipients in 1990-1991 and of PD in 1963 increased with age; however, those of drug users were higher than those of PD among the elderly. Higher-than-expected prevalences of PD and LD-prescription users (there being a partial overlap between these two categories) were found in periodically-clustered, one-year birth cohorts. These results support the notion that Iceland has a high LDU and suggest that this variation is due to a high prevalence of LD responsive disorders. Cohorts born after registered whooping cough outbreaks in Iceland may account for the magnitude and birth-related pattern of PD prevalences and LDU levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Control of addictive drugs in Iceland 1976--78.

During the years 1972--76 drug prescriptions and sales of drugs were surveyed in Iceland. Compared with the other Nordic countries, except Denmark, sales of the psychotropic drugs which may lead to addiction were highest in Iceland, as previously reported. Here we explain the efforts of the Icelandic health authorities to reduce the legitimate consumption of psychotropic drugs. These efforts are mainly directed towards doctors' prescriptions to outpatients. A survey of prescriptions and sales of drugs in Iceland in 1976--78 revealed that (1) the number of individuals receiving drugs subject to reporting in Iceland decreased by 40% between 1976 and 1978; (2) the prescribed amount of hypnotics and sedatives subject to reporting decreased by 45% in the same period; (3) the prescribed amount of narcotic analgesics decreased by 20%; (4) the prescribed amount of amphetamines and related drugs decreased by 40%; and (5) the amount sold of diazepam and related drugs decreased by 20%. The available data suggest that EDB-registration of prescriptions subject to recording and feedback to doctors about their prescribing habits contributes to a reduction in the use of the drugs recorded.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1983

Gc subtypes in Icelanders.

Isoelectric focusing was used to determine the frequencies of Gc subtypes in Icelanders. The gene frequencies observed were Gc1F = 0.107, Gc1S = 0.631 and Gc2 = 0.262. An Icelandic Gc variant allele (Gc Iceland) is shown to have a different isoelectric point from the variant allele Gc-Norway. Gc-Iceland has been detected in 3 unrelated individuals giving the allelic frequency of 0.004 in the Icelandic population. Studies of 65 mother-child pairs confirm the assumed three-allelic mode of inheritance.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Iodine intake and the pattern of thyroid disorders: a comparative epidemiological study of thyroid abnormalities in the elderly in Iceland and in Jutland, Denmark.

Thyroid abnormalities are common in all populations, but it is difficult to compare results of epidemiological studies, because different methods have been used for evaluation. We studied the importance of the population iodine intake level for the prevalence rate of various thyroid abnormalities in elderly subjects. Random samples of elderly subjects (68 yr) were selected from the central person registers in Jutland, Denmark, with low (n = 423) and, in Iceland, with longstanding relatively high (n = 100) iodine intake. Females from Jutland had a high prevalence of goiter or previous goiter surgery (12.2%), compared with males from Jutland (3.2%) and females (1.9%) and males (2.2%) from Iceland. Abnormal thyroid function was very common in both areas, with serum TSH outside the reference range in 13.5% of subjects from Jutland and 19% of those from Iceland. In Jutland, it was mainly thyroid hyperfunction (9.7% had low, 3.8% had high serum TSH), whereas in Iceland, it was impaired thyroid function (1% had low, 18% had high serum TSH). All subjects with serum TSH more than 10 mU/L had autoantibodies in serum, but antibodies were, in general, more common in Jutland than in Iceland. Thus, thyroid abnormalities in populations with low iodine intake and those with high iodine intake develop in opposite directions: goiter and thyroid hyperfunction when iodine intake is relatively low, and impaired thyroid function when iodine intake is relatively high. Probably, mild iodine deficiency partly protects against autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid autoantibodies may be markers of an autoimmune process in the thyroid or secondary to the development of goiter.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

A prospective comparative study of clinical and histological characteristics in Icelandic and Danish patients with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and X-ray negative dyspepsia. I. Design and clinical features.

Iceland (IS) and Denmark (DK) are ethnically, culturally, and economically closely related Nordic countries, but gastric cancer is much more frequent in Iceland, and other differences in the occurrence rates of gastric diseases are also suspected. Therefore a cooperative study was initiated comparing Icelandic and Danish patients with gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU), and X-ray negative dyspepsia (XND) as regards clinical features, external factors of possible importance for gastritis and cancer, gastroscopic appearance, and histological gastric mucosal changes. The project lasted one year and comprised 93 Icelandic and 88 Danish patients. A large number of comparisons showed a high degree of similarity between Icelandic and Danish patients. Significant differences were found in tobacco consumption (DK greater than IS), duration of symptoms in XND (IS greater than DK), whereas the positon ratio of GU (IS less than DK) and acetylsalicylic acid consumption (DK greater than IS) showed non-significant trends. Significant difference was found between the occurrence of diffuse macroscopic changes of the gastric mucosa (IS greater than DK), which corresponds to the histological differences to be described in a subsequent article.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attitudes of Icelandic young people toward sexual and reproductive health services.

CONTEXT: Iceland has higher levels of fertility among both adult women and adolescents than many other western European countries. There is a need to make sexual and reproductive health services more accessible to teenagers in Iceland. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional national postal survey was conducted in 1996 to explore the attitudes of 2,500 young people aged 17-20 toward sexual and reproductive health services in Iceland and to determine which factors might be of importance for the development of such services. RESULTS: Icelandic adolescents want specialized sexual and reproductive health services offered within a broad-based service setting. Half of them would prefer to have these services located in a sexual and reproductive health clinic, and about one-third want such services to be located in community health centers. Having services that are free, that are anonymous and that do not require an appointment are important to teenagers who live in Reykjavik, but proximity and equal access to services are more highly valued by adolescents who live outside Reykjavik. Characteristics that young women, in particular, value include close proximity to services, access to a comfortable environment, a friendly staff, absolute confidentiality, and the ability to come with a friend and to have enough time for discussion. Adolescents who have already used contraceptive services mentioned that they need enough time for discussion and that they value high-quality client-provider interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The attitudes of adolescents should be considered when specialized sexual and reproductive health services are developed for young people in Iceland. Specialized services that respond to the unique concerns of adolescents may increase their utilization of contraceptive methods and other reproductive health services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Education and training in hyperbaric medicine. The Icelandic experience. An example of international scientific cooperation.

The authors describe their experience in the practice, education and learning in the field of hyperbaric medicine, following a project of international scientific cooperation, first in history, between Italy and Iceland. As a result of this project, the first hyperbaric facility came into use in Iceland in March 1993, initially entirely run and economically supported by the Italian side. Since 1997 the activity has been entirely financed by Icelandic National Health System with a special budget established each year according to an agreement between Icelandic and Italian Health Authorities, leaving the medical and the economical management of the Service to Italian personnel. Hyperbaric medicine is now a reality in the Icelandic medical practice. Moreover, since 1994 young Italian doctors from the University of Trieste, Italy, enrolled in the School of Specialization in Anesthesia, Intensive Care, have received training at the Service of Hyperbaric Medicine of the University of Reykjavik City Hospital, as part of their training. The educational activity, endorsed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, consists of a theoretical part and of a practical part of operational assistance. At the end of his or her training, the resident has a full knowledge of the indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and of the related diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, is autonomous and is able to safely operate an hyperbaric chamber. An analytical report of the activity in year 2000 is also included.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation↗
PubMed2005

[The duration of disability pensions in Iceland].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term outcome for recipients of disability pension in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study includes all those receiving disability pension for the first time in 1992 in Iceland. Their status in the disability register at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland November 30th 2004 was examined as to whether they were still receiving disability pension, had died, had reached the age of retirement or were not receiving disability pension any more for some other reasons. RESULTS: In 1992 there were 725 new recipients of disability pension in Iceland, 428 females and 297 males. Twelve years later 434 from this group were no longer receiving disability pension, 240 females and 194 males. In most cases this was because they had reached the age of retirement or died (on average 88% of the females and 91% of the males each year). Only 12% of the females and 9% of the males ceased to receive disability pension (and probably went back to work). CONCLUSION: In Iceland few people return to work once they have started receiving disability pension.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Anisakidae) larvae reported from humans in Iceland after consumption of insufficiently cooked fish].

Recently, two human cases of Pseudoterranova decipiens nematode larvae were confirmed in Iceland. In each case a larva was found in the throat five and six days after the consumption of insufficiently cooked filets of the common catfish Anarhicas lupus that were bought fresh in a fish store. In both cases the larva had already developed from 3rd to the 4th stage during the time of infection. In the former case a young male woke up in the morning as he noticed a larva crawling around in his throat. In the latter case a young woman coughed up the larva after intense itching in her throat. Anisakid larva of Pseudoterranova decipiens and Anisakis simplex are common in fish around Iceland. Both are known as human pathogens but usually Anisakis simplex causes more severe symptoms and is more commonly found in human cases than Pseudoterranova decipiens. Traditional cooking of fish in Iceland by boiling or thorough frying before consumption is believed to prevent human anisakidosis in Iceland. However, increased consumption of fresh or poorly heated fish and fish products might result in increased anisakidosis cases in Iceland.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Anal cancer in Iceland 1987-2003. A population based study].

OBJECTIVE: Anal cancer is a rare disease. The aim of this study was to describe anal cancer in Iceland in 1987-2003 with respect to incidence, histologic type, treatment, recurrence rate and survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study in which all malignant anal tumours diagnosed in Iceland in the period 1987-2003 were reviewed with respect to patient outcome. Information was obtained from hospitals registers. All histological material was reviewed by a consultant histopathologist (JGJ). This is a nationwide, population-based study of malignant tumours of the anal region. RESULTS: From 1987-2003 thirty-eight patients were diagnosed with anal cancer, 28 females and 10 males. The average age at diagnosis was 63.4 years. Age standardized incidence rates for anal cancer in Iceland were 0.3 (+/-0.2) of 100.000 males and 0.9 (+/-0.4) of 100.000 females. Most patients had squamous cell carcinoma (n=30). The remaining histologic types were malignant melanoma (n=3), adenosquamous carcinoma (n=1), adenocarcinoma (n=1), GIST (n=1) and undifferentiated carcinoma (n=2). The most common symptoms were rectal bleeding (n=27), mass lesion (n=28), pain (n=19) and pruritus (n=4). Most patients had more than one symptom. The duration of symptoms before diagnosis ranged from 2 weeks to 96 months (mean value 3.5 months). Treatment modalities used were chemotherapy (n=12), radiotherapy (n=25) and local excision (n=18) and/or APR (n=5). One patient received no treatment. Many patients were treated with more than one treatment modality (n=18). Twelve patients had recurrent cancer. The mean value of the time from diagnosis of the primary to the recurrent cancer was 15.6 months (range, 5.9-117). Sixteen patients remain with disease and ten have died of anal cancer. The five year survival rate for patients diagnosed in the years 1987 to 1998 is 75% but cancer-specific survival is 82%. CONCLUSION: Age-standardized incidence for anal cancer in Iceland is similar to other regions. Average age at diagnosis, male-female ratio and prognosis is similar to reports in other studies. The proportion of adenocarcinoma of the anus is lower in Iceland than elsewhere.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Persistent organochlorine levels in six prey species of the gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus in Iceland.

Our previous investigations have revealed very high levels of organochlorines (OCs) in the Icelandic gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus, a resident top predator. We now examine six potential prey species of birds, both resident and migratory, in order to elucidate the most likely route of the OCs to the gyrfalcon. The ptarmigan Lagopus mutus, the most important prey of the gyrfalcon, contained very low levels of OCs. Bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDTs in mallards Anas platyrhynchos, tufted ducks Aythya fuligula, golden plovers Pluvialis apricaria, purple sandpipers Calidris maritima, and black guillemots Cepphus grylle reflected their position in the foodchain. The differences in OC-levels seem nevertheless too high just to reflect the different food-chain levels of these species in Iceland. The winter grounds of the migratory golden plovers and tufted ducks appear to be more contaminated than the Icelandic terrestrial habitat of ptarmigans or the freshwater habitat as reflected in mallards, both resident species. However, spending the winter on the coast in Iceland, results in high levels of contaminants in purple sandpipers and black guillemots. Our results indicate OC contamination of the marine ecosystem in Iceland while the terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are little affected. It is postulated that gyrfalcons receive the major part of the observed contamination from prey other than ptarmigan, especially birds associated with the marine ecosystem and also from migratory birds.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Interest in breast cancer genetic testing among Icelandic women.].

OBJECTIVE: It is estimated that 6-10% of all breast cancers in Iceland can be attributed to inherited mutations in newly identified breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Before genetic testing becomes widely available in Iceland it is important to understand what motivates women s interest in undergoing testing as that will provide the data necessary for designing effective counseling interventions. Therefore, the aim of this population-based study was to examine interest in and predictors of interest in genetic testing among Icelandic women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomly selected sample of 534 Icelandic women, who had not been previously diagnosed with breast cancer, completed questionnaires assessing, demographic/medical variables, interest in genetic testing, perceived risk of carrying mutations in BRCA1/2 genes, cancer-specific distress and perceived benefits and barriers of genetic testing. The mean age was 53.8 years and 197 of the women had at least one first degree-relative that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. RESULTS: Interest in testing was high with 74% of the women indicating that they were interested in testing. Family history of breast cancer was unrelated to interest in testing whereas perceived risk of being a mutation carrier was significantly and positively related to interest in testing. Interest in testing was also significantly higher among younger women and among women with higher levels of cancer-specific distress. The most commonly cited reasons for wanting to be tested were to increase use of mammography screening and to learn if one s children were at risk for developing cancer. The most commonly citied reasons against being tested were fear of being mutation carrier and worry that test results would not stay confidential. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that demand for genetic testing, once it becomes commercially available, among Icelandic women may be high even among women without family history of breast cancer. The results also suggest that genetic counseling needs to address women s breast cancer worries as that may increase the probability that the decision to undergo testing is based on knowledge rather than driven by breast cancer fear and distress.

English Abstract↗