PURPOSE: Many women who have had breast or ovarian cancer who are undergoing tests for the presence of germline mutations in the genes will receive a result that is inconclusive. As this continuing uncertainty may have a detrimental effect on their psychological well-being and it is possible that such results will be misinterpreted as indicating that no mutation is present, studying their effect is important. METHODS: Sixty-one women undergoing such tests completed questionnaires 2 weeks after their blood was taken and at 1 week and 6 months after receiving a preliminary "inconclusive" result, i.e., indicating that two thirds of the gene had been tested and no mutation had been found so far. RESULTS: Perceived likelihood of having a mutation and perceptions of cancer risk significantly decreased after receipt of the interim result. There were no changes in levels of psychological distress and worry about cancer, in intentions to have mammograms, to carry out breast self-examination, or to have prophylactic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The continuing uncertainty does not seem to have increased distress; however, it is possible that the inconclusive result is being interpreted as a "good news" result, in view of the fact that perceptions of risk decrease after receipt of the result.
PURPOSE: Many women who have had breast or ovarian cancer who are undergoing tests for the presence of germline mutations in the genes will receive a result that is inconclusive. As this continuing uncertainty may have a detrimental effect on their psychological well-being and it is possible that such results will be misinterpreted as indicating that no mutation is present, studying their effect is important. METHODS: Sixty-one women undergoing such tests completed questionnaires 2 weeks after their blood was taken and at 1 week and 6 months after receiving a preliminary "inconclusive" result, i.e., indicating that two thirds of the gene had been tested and no mutation had been found so far. RESULTS: Perceived likelihood of having a mutation and perceptions of cancer risk significantly decreased after receipt of the interim result. There were no changes in levels of psychological distress and worry about cancer, in intentions to have mammograms, to carry out breast self-examination, or to have prophylactic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The continuing uncertainty does not seem to have increased distress; however, it is possible that the inconclusive result is being interpreted as a "good news" result, in view of the fact that perceptions of risk decrease after receipt of the result.
Authors: Pagona Roussi; Kerry Anne Sherman; Suzanne Miller; Joanne Buzaglo; Mary Daly; Alan Taylor; Eric Ross; Andrew Godwin Journal: Psychol Health Date: 2010-04
Authors: Tara E Power; John W Robinson; Peter Bridge; Francois P Bernier; Dawna M Gilchrist Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2011-04-21 Impact factor: 2.537
Authors: Christine Rini; Suzanne C O'Neill; Heiddis Valdimarsdottir; Rachel E Goldsmith; Lina Jandorf; Karen Brown; Tiffani A DeMarco; Beth N Peshkin; Marc D Schwartz Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Lindsey A Torbit; Jenna J Albiani; Melyssa Aronson; Spring Holter; Kara Semotiuk; Zane Cohen; Tae L Hart Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2016-01-13