The dilemmas of a carrier of BRCA1 gene mutations.
This article describes that the decision to be tested on carriership of hereditary cancer has consequences that are more far-reaching than a potential carrier can anticipate beforehand. The experiences of a 41 year old woman, carrier of a mutated BRCA1 gene, who shortly before her scheduled bilateral breast amputation, decided not to have surgery, are described from the point of view of a clinical setting. The case history illustrates the dilemmas of having the knowledge of being a carrier, the uncertainties it evokes and the life-size questions it raises.
de Vries-Kragt
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Helen Dowling Institute for Biopsychosocial Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
D000328:Adult; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D009154:Mutation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*
D019313:BRCA1 Protein