The withdrawal from oncogenetic counselling and testing for hereditary and familial breast and ovarian cancers. A descriptive study of an Italian sample
Oncogenetic counselling is seldom followed through with, even when individuals are eligible according to the test criteria. The basic variables which influence the decision to undergo the genetic counselling process are: the risk perception, expected benefit or limitations of genetic testing, general psychological distress or cancer-specific distress, lack of trust in one's emotional reactions when faced with negative events, expected level of family support and communications within the family.
The aim of this study was to describe the psychosocial variables of an Italian sample that gives up genetic counselling.
Methods: From May 2002 to December 2006 a psychological questionnaire was sent out to one hundred and six subjects, who autonomously requested the first genetic consultation, and never ask to have a second visit and the family tree drawn up in order to inquire about their eligibility for genetic testing. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson chi-square test, t-test and Spearman RHO coefficient.
Results: The survey presents a lack of emotional cohesion and structured roles and rules within the family system and a positive correlation between the number of children, anxiety and risk perception. The main reasons for giving up on counselling were a sense that testing was a waste of time and the inability to handle emotionally the negative consequences of the outcome of test.
The subjects who maintained that test and an early diagnosis were a "waste of time" experienced more anxiety.
Conclusions: The study revealed the importance to pay attention to the whole persona and their family system as well as provide information highlighting usefulness of early diagnosis.
Author: Anita Caruso, Cristina Vigna, Gabriella Maggi, Fabio Massimo Sega, Francesco Cognetti and Antonella Savarese
Credits/Source: Journal of Experimental &Clinical Cancer Research 2008, 27:75
Published on: 2008-11-24
Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please
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