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Psychological impact of genetic testing in women from high-risk breast cancer families

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Date
2002
ICR Author
Watson, Maggie
Author
Meiser, B
Butow, P
Friedlander, M
Barratt, A
Schnieden, V
Watson, M
Brown, J
Tucker, K
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Type
Journal Article
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Abstract
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.
URI
https://repository.icr.ac.uk/handle/internal/2708
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-8049(02)00264-2
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  • Closed Research Teams
Research team
Psychology Research Group
Language
eng
License start date
2002
Citation
European Journal of Cancer, 2002, 38 pp. 2025 - 2031

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