Abstract
The recent identification of BRCA1, a breast cancer susceptibility gene, offers an unprecedented opportunity for high-risk individuals to learn whether they are genetically predisposed to develop breast or ovarian cancer. This study examined the relationships between psychological distress and use of BRCA1 testing by 149 high-risk individuals from hereditary cancer families. After a baseline assessment of demographics, objective risk, cancer-specific distress, and global distress (depressive symptoms), study participants were offered the opportunity to receive genetic counseling and to learn whether they carry a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Overall, 58% of study participants requested BRCA1 test results, and 42% declined to learn their genetic status. After controlling for demographic factors and risk status, cancer-specific distress was significantly and positively related to BRCA1 test use, whereas global distress was unrelated to test use.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 414-420 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health