Author :
Release : 1999
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Kind : eBook
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Book Synopsis Psychobehavioral Impact of Genetic Counseling and Breast Cancer Gene Testing in Healthy Women of African Descent by :
Download or read book Psychobehavioral Impact of Genetic Counseling and Breast Cancer Gene Testing in Healthy Women of African Descent written by . This book was released on 1999. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent molecular studies have identified two large genes, BRCAl on chromosome 17 and BRCA2 on chromosome 13; mutations in these genes are now thought to be responsible for the majority of breast cancer cases in families with four or more affected relatives (Ford et al., 1995). Depending on the population studied, women with mutation in BRCAl/2 have 40% to 85% cumulative risk of developing breast cancer and 5% to 60% cumulative risk of developing ovarian cancer (Struewing et al., 1997; Whittemore et al., 1997; Schrag et al., 1997). There are several benefits associated with genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility (Baum et al., 1997). For example, women found to be mutation carriers can increase the probability that breast cancer will be detected at early stage by increasing their breast cancer surveillance behavior and women who learn that they do not carry a cancer-predisposition mutation may experience relief and improvements in quality of life (Baum et al., 1997). However, genetic testing can also have adverse psychological consequences including loss of insurance, stigmatization, and increased psychological distress (Croyle et al., 1997; Bankowski et al., 1991, Holtzman, 1989). Most of the studies of the impact of counseling and genetic testing have
