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GENTLNO
Time since most recent genetic test: Number of units
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Description

For sample adults who ever had a genetic test to determine the risk of developing cancer in the future (GENTCANEV), GENTLNO reports the number of time units since the most recent genetic test was done and complements the GENTLTPvariable that codes the type of time unit (days, weeks, months, years).

 

Interviewers asked, "When did you have this genetic test done?" and accepted responses given in either a month/year format or time period format. Responses given in a month/year format were recorded in two variables, GENTLDMO(Month of most recent genetic test) and GENTLDYR (Year of most recent genetic test). Responses given in a time period format were recorded in two variables, GENTLNO (Time since most recent genetic test: Number of units) and GENTLTP (Time since most recent genetic test: Time period).

GENTLNO was included in a section of the Cancer Control Module dedicated to questions on genetic testing introduced in 2000. Interviewers began this part of the survey by reading the following statement:

The following questions refer to "genetic testing for cancer risk." That is, testing your blood to see if you carry genes which may predict a greater chance of developing cancer at some point in your life. This does NOT include tests to determine if you have cancer now.

The 2000 and 2005 Field Representative's Manual defines genetic testing as:

A blood test that assesses if the person has genes that predict a greater chance of developing cancer at some point in the lifespan. It does not include any of the tests that help determine if the person had cancer in the past, or has it now.

The 2010 Field Representative's Manual states that, "Genetic testing for cancer risk means testing the blood to determine if an individual carries genes which may predict a greater chance of developing cancer at some point in their lifetime."

Comparability

GENTLNO is largely comparable between 2000 and 2005, though there may be some difference in the meaning of "refused," "not ascertained," and "don't know" as used in the two years. Both the 2000 and 2005 Survey Descriptions caution that while "all sample adults were to be asked the questions in the Cancer Control Module, some persons did not complete the supplement." However, whereas in 2000, persons who answered less than 50 percent of the questions in the supplement had a value of "not ascertained" automatically inserted in the appropriate fields of the Cancer Control Module file, in 2005 , persons who answered none of the questions in the supplement had a value of "not ascertained" automatically inserted in the appropriate fields of the Cancer Control Module file.

Additionally, changes in the universe may limit the comparability of 2015 to earlier years. In 2015, GENTLNO was asked of sample adults who had undergone genetic testing to assess cancer risk. In earlier years, GENTLNO was asked of sample adults who had ever heard of genetic testing to assess cancer risk and undergone genetic testing to assess cancer risk.

Universe

  • 2000; 2005; 2010: Sample adults age 18+ who had ever heard of genetic testing for cancer risk, ever had genetic testing for cancer risk, and answered in number and time period format
  • 2015: Sample adults age 18+ who ever had genetic testing for cancer risk and answered in number and time period format

Availability

  • 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015

Weights