title: Psychological impact of genetic testing for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
abstract: The psychological impact of predictive genetic testing for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) was assessed in 114 individuals (32 carriers and 82 non-carriers) attending familial cancer clinics, using mailed self-administered questionnaires prior to, 2 weeks, 4 months and 12 months after carrier status disclosure. Compared to baseline, carriers showed a significant increase in mean scores for intrusive and avoidant thoughts about colorectal cancer 2 weeks (t = 2.49; p = 0.014) and a significant decrease in mean depression scores 2 weeks post-notification of result (t = -3.98; p < 0.001) and 4 months post-notification of result (t = -3.22; p = 0.002). For non-carriers, significant decreases in mean scores for intrusive and avoidant thoughts about colorectal cancer were observed at all follow-up assessment time points relative to baseline. Non-carriers also showed significant decreases from baseline in mean depression scores 2 weeks, 4 months and 12 months post-notification. Significant decreases from baseline for mean state anxiety scores were also observed for non-carriers 2 weeks post-notification (t = -3.99; p < 0.001). These data indicate that predictive genetic testing for HNPCC leads to psychological benefits amongst non-carriers, and no adverse psychological outcomes were observed amongst carriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, and School of Psychiatry, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia. b.meiser@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meiser
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaff
authors.forename: D J B
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: St John
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrop
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halliday
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires