title: Psychological impact of genetic counselling and testing in women previously diagnosed with breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent discovery of susceptibility genes relating to breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2, now allows women with breast cancer and a family history of breast/ovarian cancer to undergo genetic testing to identify a causative germ-line mutation. The present study assessed the psychological status over time of women affected by breast cancer requesting genetic testing (cases; n = 32) compared with matched controls (n = 28).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were recruited through two Sydney-based hospitals. Data were collected via questionnaire and telephone interview at baseline, and 2 weeks and 3-6 months following counselling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genetic test results were not received by the subjects within the study period. Cases showed a greater increase in knowledge of cancer genetics following counselling compared with controls, and this was maintained over time. Psychological symptoms remained stable over the study period and there were no differences between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased knowledge following genetic counselling was not accompanied by an increase in anxiety or depression. Further assessment will be required in the long term to determine the psychological impact of receiving a genetic test result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Butow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors