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. 2008 Jun;109(3):507-14.
doi: 10.1007/s10549-007-9680-y. Epub 2007 Aug 3.

BRCA1/2 mutation testing in breast cancer patients: a prospective study of the long-term psychological impact of approach during adjuvant radiotherapy

Kathryn J Schlich-Bakker  1 , Margreet G E M Ausems, Maria Schipper, Herman F J Ten Kroode, Carla C Wárlám-Rodenhuis, Jan van den Bout
Affiliations

BRCA1/2 mutation testing in breast cancer patients: a prospective study of the long-term psychological impact of approach during adjuvant radiotherapy

Kathryn J Schlich-Bakker et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Jun.

Abstract

This study assessed psychological distress during the first year after diagnosis in breast cancer patients approached for genetic counseling at the start of adjuvant radiotherapy and identified those vulnerable to long-term high distress. Of the approached patients some chose to receive a DNA test result (n = 58), some were approached but did not fulfill criteria for referral (n = 118) and some declined counseling and/or testing (n = 44). The comparative group consisted of patients not eligible for genetic counseling (n = 182) and was therefore not approached. Patients actively approached for genetic counseling showed no more long-term distress than patients not eligible for such counseling. There were no differences between the subgroups of approached patients. Predictors for long-term high distress or an increase in distress over time were pre-existing high distress and a low quality of life, having children, and having no family members with breast cancer. It is concluded that breast cancer patients can be systematically screened and approached for genetic counseling during adjuvant radiotherapy without imposing extra psychological burden. Patients vulnerable to long-term high distress already displayed high distress shortly after diagnosis with no influence of their medical treatment on their level of distress at long-term.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow scheme
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fitted model for the course of the total HADS score measured one week prior to approach and 4, 11, 27 and approximately 43 weeks after approach for genetic counseling
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Fitted model for the course of the total IES score measured 1 week prior to approach and 4, 11, 27 and approximately 43 weeks after approach for genetic counseling
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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