World Cancer Day is Feb. 4
As the availability of genetic testing continues to rise, so too has the need to relay accurate and understandable health information, according to Marleah Dean Kruzel, associate professor in the USF College of Arts and Sciences鈥� Department of Communication.
One area in need of more attention in particular is breast cancer, specifically among men.
Dean Kruzel, who is also director of the , says that men are often underinformed or uninformed about their possible hereditary cancer risks.
鈥淒ue to the myth that breast cancer susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1/2, and breast cancer are female diseases, there aren't a lot of resources for men,鈥� she explained.
In an article published in the , Dean Kruzel and her research colleagues examine the ability of a new graphic novel to educate men about breast cancer risk.
鈥淥ther research has found comics and graphic novels for health promotion are an effective and engaging format,鈥� Dean Kruzel said.
Now publicly available on and , the graphic novel is a resource to aid men in learning about their possible BRCA-related cancer risks. It also models how men can talk about BRCA1/2 with their families and doctors as well as offers social support resources.鈥�淲e really wanted to create a resource for men, particularly younger men, that would increase their knowledge but also model behaviors important when managing BRCA-related cancer risks,鈥� Dean Kurzel added. 鈥淥ne Google search of 鈥楤RCA and breast cancer,鈥� for example, and you see the content is mostly targeting women, and thus relays the idea that it . But it is! An inherited gene mutation can be passed down from both men and women.鈥�
By interviewing 20 men and 15 certified genetic counselors, Dean Kruzel and her colleagues found that both groups reported the graphic novel confirmed risk information, was a helpful resource, included relatable storylines, and had a unique visual appeal. 鈥淲e hope the graphic novel can be a resource for men and certified genetic counselors. Our next steps include figuring out where best to disseminate it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n this study, men suggested having it in primary care physicians' offices, and certified genetic counselors suggested including it when returning genetic test results to patients.鈥�
While the graphic novel is now currently accessible to anyone, Dean Kruzel said she hopes it will become a widely used resource for male patients and genetic counselors.
鈥淲e hope patients can share and use this graphic novel to learn more鈥痑bout BRCA-related cancer risks, manage their uncertainty, and communicate with their clinicians and family members,鈥� she said.
Learn more about genetic testing for hereditary cancers from the (NCCN).