Deborah O. Himes|Margaret F. Clayton|Gary Donaldson|Lee Ellington|Saundra S. Buys|Anita Y. Kinney
Breast Cancer Risk Perceptions among Relatives of Women with Uninformative Negative <i>BRCA1/2</i> Test Results: The Moderating Effect of the Amount of Shared Information
Brigham Young University|University of Utah|University of Utah|University of Utah|Huntsman Cancer Institute|University of New Mexico|New Mexico Cancer Center
abstract common result brca12 mutation testing performed family without previously identified mutation uninformative negative test result women families may increased risk breast cancer mutations nonbrca breast cancer predisposition genes including moderate lowrisk genes shared environmental factors genetic counselors often encourage counselees share information family members however unclear much information counselees share impact shared information may accuracy risk perception family members evaluated 85 sisters daughters women received uninformative negative brca12 results measured accuracy risk perception using latent variable model accuracy represented correlation perceived risk indicators verbal quantitative measures calculated risk indicators claus brcapro participants reported information shared sister mother genetic counseling session greater accuracy risk perception 0707 p 0000 reported little information shared 0326 p 0003 however counselees shared little information nearly 20 family members reported sister mother shared nothing genetic counseling family members generally aware existence genetic counseling summary letter findings underscore need effective strategies facilitate counselees share information genetic counseling sessions communication may help relatives better understand cancer risks enhance risk appropriate cancer prevention