Psychological impact of genetic testing in women from high-risk breast cancer families
Date
2002ICR Author
Author
Meiser, B
Butow, P
Friedlander, M
Barratt, A
Schnieden, V
Watson, M
Brown, J
Tucker, K
Type
Journal Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Psychological adjustment in 90 women (30 carriers and 60 non-carriers) who had undergone genetic testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility genes was compared with that of 53 women who were not offered genetic testing. Women were assessed prior to genetic testing and 7–10 days, 4 and 12 months after carrier status disclosure using self-administered questionnaires. Compared with women not offered testing, mutation carriers had significantly higher breast cancer distress 7–10 days (t=2.80, P=0.005) and 12 months (t=2.01, P=0.045) post-notification. Non-carriers showed a significant decrease in state anxiety 7–10 days post-notification (t=2.27, P=0.024) and in depression 4 months post-notification (t=2.26, P=0.024), compared with women not offered testing. These data show that non-carriers derive psychological benefits from genetic testing. Women testing positive may anticipate a sustained increase in breast cancer distress following disclosure, although no other adverse psychological outcomes were observed in this group.
Collections
Research team
Psychology Research Group
Language
eng
License start date
2002
Citation
European Journal of Cancer, 2002, 38 pp. 2025 - 2031