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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology
Cite this
The influence of psychological distress on use of genetic testing for cancer risk. / Lerman, Caryn; Schwartz, Marc D.; Lin, Ting Hsiang; Hughes, Chanita; Narod, Steven; Lynch, Henry T.
In: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 65, No. 3, 06.1997, p. 414-420.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The influence of psychological distress on use of genetic testing for cancer risk
AU - Lerman, Caryn
AU - Schwartz, Marc D.
AU - Lin, Ting Hsiang
AU - Hughes, Chanita
AU - Narod, Steven
AU - Lynch, Henry T.
PY - 1997/6
Y1 - 1997/6
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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U2 - 10.1037/0022-006X.65.3.414
DO - 10.1037/0022-006X.65.3.414
M3 - Article
VL - 65
SP - 414
EP - 420
JO - Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
JF - Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
SN - 0022-006X
IS - 3
ER -