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How Do Geneticists and Genetic Counselors Counsel Women from High‐Risk Breast Cancer Families?
Author(s) -
Lobb Elizabeth,
Butow Phyllis,
Meiser Bettina,
Tucker Katherine,
Barratt Alexandra
Publication year - 2001
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 - 10.1023/a:1009447932274
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , genetic testing , breast cancer , context (archaeology) , medicine , cancer genetics , family medicine , qualitative research , human genetics , psychology , cancer , genetics , paleontology , social science , sociology , gene , biology
This qualitative study asked Australian Genetic Counselors and Clinical Geneticists working in cancer genetics to describe their practice when a woman attends a consultation about her family history and her risk of developing breast cancer. Twenty‐nine out of 36 Clinical Geneticists/Genetic Counselors returned the questionnaire (82%). Participants identified the key goals of the consultation as (a) identifying the individual needs and concerns of the woman, (b) providing information on genes and chromosomes, (c) giving an individual risk assessment in the context of supportive interaction, and (d) discussing the pros and cons of genetic testing and putting a surveillance plan into place. Respondents emphasized the dual importance of counseling/support and information provision in this setting, suggesting that one could not be given without the other. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.