Mammography behavior after receiving a negative BRCA1 mutation test result in the Ashkenazim: a community-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To define the impact of a negative BRCA1 test result on subsequent breast cancer screening behavior in women.


METHODS
Longitudinal study of a community-based sample of Ashkenazi Jews offered testing for the 185delAG BRCA1 mutation in 1996. Of 309 participants, 118 women were mutation negative, of average risk (based on family history of cancer), unaffected with breast cancer, and provided complete data at baseline, and Year 1 and Year 2 follow-up questionnaires.


RESULTS
Women age 50 and older had 91.7% compliance with mammography for the year prior to entry (baseline), 88.3% during Year 1, 91.7% during Year 2 (no significant change; P = 0.775). Women under age 50 demonstrated an increase in mammography (49.2% at baseline, 62.7% Year 1, and 67.1% Year 2; P = 0.035). Both groups demonstrated significant decreases in breast cancer worry and perceived risk. Logistic regression analysis on having a mammogram at Year 2 showed that age, physician recommendation, worry, and perceived risk were all significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Receipt of negative BRCA1 test results in a cohort of Ashkenazi Jewish women did not have a negative impact on mammography behavior 2 years after genetic testing.
Plon
S E
SE
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Peterson
L E
LE
Friedman
L C
LC
Richards
C S
CS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1 / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors