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Cancer Risk Counseling: How Is It Different?
Author(s) -
Schneider Katherine A.,
Marnane Daragh
Publication year - 1997
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:1025699732698
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , medicine , genetic testing , cancer , family medicine , cancer genetics , hereditary cancer , genetics , breast cancer , biology
Fifty‐six of 80 (70%) full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors with interest in cancer genetics responded to a 1994 survey regarding their cancer risk counseling practices. This study was undertaken to describe cancer risk counselors and the services they provide and to identify possible differences from general genetic counseling that warrant further study. Of 56 respondents, 41 (75%) were providing CRC. The components of CRC programs are described. Our results found significant differences between CRC and general genetic counseling in terms of training and experience of genetic counselors providing CRC and length and number of counseling sessions per consultand. 51% of respondents had 1–2 years of working in CRC, compared to 17% with 1–2 years experience in genetic counseling ( p< 0.05). Over one‐third had 10 or more years genetic counseling experience. Counselors were more likely to see individuals at risk for cancer for longer counseling sessions ( p< 0.05) and for additional sessions ( p< 0.05).