Predictors of participation in clinical and psychosocial follow-up of the kConFab breast cancer family cohort

Abstract

Introduction: Prospective collection of epidemiological, psychosocial and outcome data in large breast cancer family cohorts should provide less biased data than retrospective studies regarding penetrance of breast cancer and modifiers of genetic risk. Methods: The Kathleen Cuningham Foundation for Research into Breast Cancer (kConFab) recently commenced 3-yearly follow-up on over 750 families with multiple cases of breast cancer. Clinical follow-up was by mailed self-report questionnaire to all participants, while psychosocial follow-up was only of unaffected women and consisted of two components: a mailed questionnaire and an interview regarding stressful life events. Results: To date, 192..