Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Jan;28(1):38-47.
doi: 10.1037/a0012714.

Predictors of decision making in families at risk for inherited breast/ovarian cancer

Suzanne Mellon  1 , James Janisse, Robin Gold, Michelle Cichon, Lisa Berry-Bobovski, Michael A Tainsky, Michael S Simon
Affiliations

Predictors of decision making in families at risk for inherited breast/ovarian cancer

Suzanne Mellon et al. Health Psychol. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with decision making about inherited cancer risk information within families and determine the interdependence between survivors' and relatives' decision making.

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional design using a population-based sample of 146 dyads (N = 292) was used. Analyses included multilevel modeling using the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model.

Main outcome measures: Decision making regarding inherited cancer risk information.

Results: Several individual and family factors contributed toward survivors' and female relatives' decision making about inherited cancer risk information. Individual factors included the individual's perceptions of their family communication and cancer history. Family factors included survivors' and family members' age, communication and coping style that influenced the decision making of the other member of the dyad. Cancer worries and a monitoring coping style affected both seeking and avoiding decision making for survivors and relatives.

Conclusions: In view of the importance of genetic information upon family health outcomes, it is critical to address both individual and family factors that may influence decision making about cancer risk information and surveillance options for all members within the family.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Family Decision Making Regarding Inherited Cancer Risk
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures 2008. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2008.
    1. Armstrong K, Calzone K, Stopfer J, Fitzgerald G, Coyne J, Weber B. Factors associated with decisions about clinical BRCA1/2 testing. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 2000;9:1251–1254. - PubMed
    1. Babb SA, Swisher EM, Heller HN, Whelan AJ, Mutch DG, Herzog TJ, et al. Qualitative evaluation of medical information processing needs of 60 women choosing ovarian cancer surveillance or prophylactic oophorectomy. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2002;11:81–96. - PubMed
    1. Bleiker EMA, Hahn DEE, Aaronson NK. Psychosocial issues in cancer genetics. Acta Oncologica. 2003;42:276–286. - PubMed
    1. Bluman LG, Rimer BK, Berry DA, Borstelmann N, Iglehart JD, Regan K, et al. Attitudes, knowledge, and risk perceptions of women with breast and/or ovarian cancer considering testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 1999;17:1040–1046. - PubMed

Publication types