|
Anticipating family issues associated with cancer risk assessment and genetic testing
Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center, Robbinsdale, MN
Family history assessment and genetic testing are worth the effort and can help to decrease the cancer burden in some families when increased risk is recognized and addressed by heightened surveillance and/or risk-reduction measures. However, genetic testing is associated with psychosocial issues that are important to address during the genetic counseling process prior to sample collection. Skipping this process and moving directly to DNA testing may be detrimental for some families and may impair the patient’s ability to cope with the genetic test result and use the information in a beneficial manner. Some individuals may not realize how this information affects his/her family members and may not understand the importance of sharing this information. Because of the predictive nature of genetic testing, it is different from other diagnostic tests—the emotional needs of the patient must be anticipated. Conversely, personal biases that dissuade the patient from proceeding with genetic consultation or testing may also lead to detrimental effects.
| Commun Oncol 2005;2:245–250 | full text |  186 kb |