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The Impact of Breast Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment on Intentions to Perform Cancer Surveillance Behaviors
Author(s) -
Bennett Paul,
Wilkinson Clare,
Turner Jim,
Griffith Gethin,
France Barbara,
Brain Kate,
Gray Jonathon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-007-9100-9
Subject(s) - breast cancer , medicine , genetic counseling , mammography , disease , mood , risk assessment , clinical psychology , family medicine , genetic testing , family history , cancer , psychology , pathology , genetics , computer security , computer science , biology
One hundred and fifty‐four women undergoing breast/ovarian cancer genetic risk assessment completed questionnaires at entry into the Cancer Genetic Service for Wales (CGSW) assessment program and following risk provision, mapping the strength of intentions to engage in a number of preventive/surveillance behaviors, including seeing specialists, breast self‐examination, and involvement in screening programs, including mammography. A number of potential predictors of intentions were also assessed, including participants’ mood and emotional response to receiving risk information, the perceived benefits (in terms of reassurance and early disease detection) of engaging in each preventive behavior, and the perceived desires of their family and General Practitioner. Intentions to self‐examine did not change following risk provision, although strength of intentions to engage in some other preventive behaviors did lessen. Family and General Practitioners appeared to be strong social influences on behavioral intentions, as were the perceived benefits of gaining reassurance and/or early detection of disease.