Predictive genetic testing for BRCA1/2 in the UK: the long-term psychosocial impact

Foster, C., Eeles, R., Evans, G., Eccles, D., Ashley, S., Davidson, R., Mackay, J., Morrison, P., Hopwood, P. and Watson, M. (2004) Predictive genetic testing for BRCA1/2 in the UK: the long-term psychosocial impact. European Meeting of Psychosocial Aspects of Genetics (EMPAG), Munich, Germany. 12 - 15 Jun 2004.

Abstract

Purpose: Men who have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer may be offered a predictive genetic test to determine whether or not they carry the family specific BRCA1/2 mutation. Male BRCA1/2 carriers may be at increased risk of breast/colon/prostate cancers. Relatively little is known about at-risk men’s decision-making about BRCA1/2 testing. This ongoing qualitative study explores the influences on male patients’ genetic test decisions and the impact of BRCA1/2 predictive genetic testing upon high-risk men and their immediate family.
Methodology: Twenty-nine in-depth interviews have been undertaken with both carrier and non-carrier men and immediate family members (17 male patients, 8 female partners 4 adult children), thus far. These explore: their experiences of cancer and genetic testing, decision-making about testing, family support, communication of test results within the family, risk perception and risk management
Findings: The influences on men’s testing decisions, such as, altruism, anxiety about own health and own/partner’s anxiety about children’s risks or curiosity will be examined. Different types of patterns of family communication about DNA-testing and the test results will be described. Some methodological and ethical issues arising during the course of this study will be discussed.

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