We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Men at risk of being a mutation carrier for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer: an exploration of attitudes and psychological functioning during genetic testing.
- Authors
Lodder, Litanja; Frets, Petra G; Trijsburg, R Willem; Tibben, Aad; Meijers-Heijboer, E Johanna; Duivenvoorden, Hugo J; Wagner, Anja; van der Meer, Conny A; Devilee, Peter; Cornelisse, Cees J; Niermeijer, Martinus F
- Abstract
Males with a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation are not at greatly increased riskfor cancer, whereas their (grand)daughters, and other female relatives who carry the mutation, are. Males from BRCA1/BRCA2 families may opt for genetic testing to confirm whether or not they may have transmitted the mutation to their children and, if so, to inform them at an appropriate age about the genetic risk and its implications. The psychological implications of genetic testing for men at risk of being a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carrier have received little attention. We report on 28 men requesting BRCA1 or BRCA2 testing, and their partners. Men were at 25% (n=4) or 50% risk (n=24) of being a mutation carrier, the majority with daughters and half of them with daughters aged over 20 years. Levels of psychological distress were assessed several weeks before and after disclosure of the test result. In addition, we investigated the level of intrusive thoughts and feelings about breast and ovarian cancer and the tendency to avoid these. By means of interviews and questionnaires, participants could report on (expected) emotional implications of genetic testing for themselves and their children on experiences with cancer in the family and, on personality trait optimism. Distress levels prior to the result in tested men and their partners were low. Many men and partners expected the test result to affect their children's, but not their own level of problems. Men without daughters and those with an optimistic personality had especially low distress prior to disclosure. Most men reported that they did not actively avoid the issue. Only four of the 28 men were identified as mutation carriers. High distress after disclosure of the result was reported by one mutation carrier and by three non-mutation carriers. Verbatim transcripts from interviews showed a large variation of psychological reactions in male mutation carriers (eg regarding guilt feelings). Low pre-test distress in males does not necessarily...
- Subjects
GENETIC mutation; BREAST cancer; OVARIAN diseases
- Publication
European Journal of Human Genetics, 2001, Vol 9, Issue 7, p492
- ISSN
1018-4813
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200668