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Journal of Genetic Counseling
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling 3/2016

Open Access 01-06-2016 | Original Research

High Satisfaction and Low Distress in Breast Cancer Patients One Year after BRCA-Mutation Testing without Prior Face-to-Face Genetic Counseling

Authors: Aisha S. Sie, Liesbeth Spruijt, Wendy A. G. van Zelst-Stams, Arjen R. Mensenkamp, Marjolijn J. L. Ligtenberg, Han G. Brunner, Judith B. Prins, Nicoline Hoogerbrugge

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

According to standard practice following referral to clinical genetics, most high risk breast cancer (BC) patients in many countries receive face-to-face genetic counseling prior to BRCA-mutation testing (DNA-intake). We evaluated a novel format by prospective study: replacing the intake consultation with telephone, written and digital information sent home. Face-to-face counseling then followed BRCA-mutation testing (DNA-direct). One year after BRCA-result disclosure, 108 participants returned long-term follow-up questionnaires, of whom 59 (55 %) had previously chosen DNA-direct (intervention) versus DNA-intake (standard practice i.e., control: 45 %). Questionnaires assessed satisfaction and psychological distress. All participants were satisfied and 85 % of DNA-direct participants would choose this procedure again; 10 % would prefer DNA-intake and 5 % were undecided. In repeated measurements ANOVA, general distress (GHQ-12, p = 0.01) and BC-specific distress (IES-bc, p = 0.03) were lower in DNA-direct than DNA-intake at all time measurements. Heredity-specific distress (IES-her) did not differ significantly between groups. Multivariate regression analyses showed that choice of procedure did not significantly contribute to either general or heredity-specific distress. BC-specific distress (after BC diagnosis) did contribute to both general and heredity-specific distress. This suggests that higher distress scores reflected BC experience, rather than the type of genetic diagnostic procedure. In conclusion, the large majority of BC patients that used DNA-direct reported high satisfaction without increased distress both in the short term, and 1 year after conclusion of genetic testing.
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Metadata
Title
High Satisfaction and Low Distress in Breast Cancer Patients One Year after BRCA-Mutation Testing without Prior Face-to-Face Genetic Counseling
Authors
Aisha S. Sie
Liesbeth Spruijt
Wendy A. G. van Zelst-Stams
Arjen R. Mensenkamp
Marjolijn J. L. Ligtenberg
Han G. Brunner
Judith B. Prins
Nicoline Hoogerbrugge
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9899-4

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