Association between screening family medical history in general medical care and lower burden of cancer worry among women with a close family history of breast cancer

Purpose Studies are underway to establish the clinical effectiveness of annual mammographic screening in women younger than 50 years with a family history of breast cancer. This study investigated both the positive and negative psychological effects of screening on these women. Patients and Methods Women who received an immediate all-clear result after mammography (n = 1,174) and women who were recalled for additional tests before receiving an all-clear result (false positive; n = 112) completed questionnaires: 1 month before mammography, and 1 and 6 months after receiving final results. The questionnaires included measures of cancer worry, psychological consequences, and perceived benefits of breast screening. Results Women who received an immediate all-clear result experienced a decrease in cancer worry and negative psychological consequences immediately after the result, whereas women who were recalled for additional tests did not. By 6 months this cancer-specific distress had reduced significantly in both groups. Changes in levels of distress were significantly different between the two groups, but in absolute terms the differences were not large. Recalled women reported significantly greater positive psychological consequences of screening immediately after the result, and were also more positive about the benefits of screening compared with women who received an immediate all-clear result. Conclusion For women receiving an immediate all-clear result, participating in annual mammographic screening is psychologically beneficial. Furthermore, women who are recalled for additional tests do not appear to be harmed by screening: these women's positive views about mammography suggest that they view any distress caused by recall as an acceptable part of screening.

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Risk perception and cancer worry: an exploratory study of the impact of genetic risk counselling in women with a family history of breast cancer

Journal of Medical Genetics ◽

10.1136/jmg.38.2.139 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 139-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 88

Author(s):

P HOPWOOD

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Perception ◽

Family History ◽

Genetic Risk ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Cancer Worry ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

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Prevalence of germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants in sequential epithelial ovarian cancer cases

Journal of Medical Genetics ◽

10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105792 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 301-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Robert D Morgan ◽

George J Burghel ◽

Nicola Flaum ◽

Michael Bulman ◽

Andrew R Clamp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Family History ◽

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer ◽

Medical History ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Cancer Syndrome ◽

Platinum Sensitive ◽

Endometrioid Ovarian Carcinoma ◽

History Of

IntroductionPoly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors significantly improve progression-free survival in platinum-sensitive high-grade serous and endometrioid ovarian carcinoma, with greatest benefits observed in women with a pathogenic BRCA1/2 variant. Consequently, the demand for germline BRCA1/2 testing in ovarian cancer has increased substantially, leading to the screening of unselected populations of patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of pathogenic germline BRCA1/2 variants in women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, categorised according to the established risk factors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and the Manchester BRCA Score, to inform risk stratification.MethodsA cohort of sequential epithelial ovarian cancer cases recruited between June 2013 and September 2018 underwent germline BRCA1/2 testing by next-generation sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.ResultsFive hundred and fifty-seven patients were screened. Of these, 18% had inherited a pathogenic BRCA1/2 variant. The prevalence of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants was >10% in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier than 60 years of age (21%) and those diagnosed later than 60 years of age with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer (17%) or a medical history of breast cancer (34%). The prevalence of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants was also >10% in women with a Manchester BRCA Score of ≥15 points (14%).DiscussionOur study suggests that age at diagnosis, family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, medical history of breast cancer or a Manchester BRCA Score of ≥15 points are associated with a >10% prevalence of germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants in epithelial ovarian cancer.

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Self-rated breast cancer risk among women reporting a first-degree family history of breast cancer on office screening questionnaires in routine medical care: The role of physician-delivered risk feedback

Genetics in Medicine ◽

10.1097/01.gim.0000237769.59166.ad ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 658-664 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert Gramling ◽

David Anthony ◽

Emma Simmons ◽

Deborah Bowen

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Family History ◽

Breast Cancer Risk ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Medical Care ◽

Routine Medical Care ◽

Screening Questionnaires ◽

History Of

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MR-guided intervention in women with a family history of breast cancer

Yearbook of Diagnostic Radiology ◽

10.1016/s0098-1672(08)70045-6 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 ◽

pp. 58-59

Author(s):

R.L. Birdwell

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Family History ◽

History Of

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How Valid are Patient Reports of Family History of Illness?

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1635275 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 19 (03) ◽

pp. 162-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rachel Harris ◽

W. Margaret ◽

Kathleen Hunter

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Medical History ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cause Of Death ◽

Death Certificate ◽

Recall Rate ◽

Patient Reports ◽

Small Subgroup ◽

History Of ◽

Medical Histories

The recall rate of patients’ family medical histories was studied in 200 cancer and non-cancer patients. Data on age and cause of death for parents and grandparents were collected. Although most patients knew the age and cause of death of parents, less than half knew for grandparents. Cancer patients had significantly greater recall for maternally related relatives. A subsample of patients’ family medical histories was compared to death certificate data. Patients’ reports were found to be highly inaccurate. Since only a small subgroup could provide medical history data for grandparents, the generaliz-ability for history of family illness is questioned.

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Family history of breast cancer and local recurrence after breast conserving therapy

European Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1016/s0959-8049(98)80040-3 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. S12

Author(s):

C.T.M. Brekelmans ◽

A.C. Voogd ◽

G. Botke ◽

A.N. van Geel ◽

P. Rodrigus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Family History ◽

Local Recurrence ◽

Breast Conserving Therapy ◽

History Of

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A Group Therapy Approach to Facilitate Integration of Risk Information for Women at Risk for Breast Cancer

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674379804300405 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 375-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Mary Jane Esplen ◽

Brenda Toner ◽

Jonathan Hunter ◽

Gordon Glendon ◽

Kate Butler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

At Risk ◽

Family History ◽

Group Therapy ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Risk Information ◽

Degree Relative ◽

Therapy Approach ◽

History Of

Objective: To describe and illustrate elements of a group counselling approach designed to enhance the communication of risk information on breast cancer (BC) to women with a family history of this disease. Breast cancer is a leading cause of female cancer death. The most important risk factor for BC is a positive family history in at least 1 first-degree relative, and approximately one-third of women with BC have a family history of the disease. Recent evidence suggests that there is a significant psychological impact associated with having a family history of BC, and this may influence the psychological adjustment and response to being counselled for personal risk. New counselling approaches are required. Method: This paper describes a group therapy approach that incorporates principles of supportive-expressive therapy designed to address the emotional impact of being at risk for BC and to promote accuracy of perceived risk. The key elements of the intervention are described along with clinical illustrations from groups that are part of an ongoing study to develop and standardize the group therapy. Conclusion: Qualitative data from the groups suggest that this model of therapy is both feasible and effective.

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