A follow‐up study on men tested for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations: impacts and coping processes

• DOI: 10.1002/pon.2106
• Publication Date: 2011-12-03T12:35:44Z
• Authors: Shoshana Shiloh; Efrat Dagan; Irit Friedman; Natalie Blank; Eitan Friedman
• Keywords: Risk Perception

The objective of this study was to examine cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impacts testing for germline mutations in breast/ovarian cancer-associated genes (BRCA1/BRCA2) among men who undergo genetic testing.A cross-sectional compared 51 mutation carriers with 30 tested negative the both genes. Telephone interviews were conducted all participants at a median 4 years after disclosure test results counseling context. Testing-related distress, cancer risk perceptions, perceived changes following testing, perceptions breast measured using standard questionnaires.Up postgenetic 48% those positively report that increased their risk, 74% them surveillance cancer. Men had been as non-carriers did not (0%) relatively few (31%). Carriers significantly more distressed from having less consequences emotional effects on patient, being treatable than non-carriers.These have implications regard Self Regulatory Theory. They show (i) illness representations are affected by fear-arousing health information; (ii) elicit behaviors; (iii) BRCA specific concerns should be attended to.