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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Women's constructions of the 'right time' to consider decisions about risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing oophorectomy

Authors: A Fuchsia Howard, Joan L Bottorff, Lynda G Balneaves, Charmaine Kim-Sing

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Women who are notified they carry a BRCA1/2 mutation are presented with surgical options to reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer, including risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and risk-reducing oophorectomy (RRO). Growing evidence suggests that a sub-group of women do not make decisions about RRM and RRO immediately following genetic testing, but rather, consider these decisions years later. Women's perspectives on the timing of these decisions are not well understood. Accordingly, the purpose of this research was to describe how women construct the 'right time' to consider decisions about RRM and RRO.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 BRCA1/2 carrier women and analyzed using qualitative, constant comparative methods.

Results

The time that lapsed between receipt of genetic test results and receipt of RRM or RRO ranged from three months to nine years. The findings highlighted the importance of considering decisions about RRM and RRO one at a time. The women constructed the 'right time' to consider these decisions to be when: (1) decisions fit into their lives, (2) they had enough time to think about decisions, (3) they were ready emotionally to deal with the decisions and the consequences, (4) all the issues and conflicts were sorted out, (5) there were better options available, and (6) the health care system was ready for them.

Conclusions

These findings offer novel insights relevant to health care professionals who provide decision support to women considering RRM and RRO.
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Metadata
Title
Women's constructions of the 'right time' to consider decisions about risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing oophorectomy
Authors
A Fuchsia Howard
Joan L Bottorff
Lynda G Balneaves
Charmaine Kim-Sing
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-10-24

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