title: Correlates of depressive symptoms among women seeking cancer genetic counseling and risk assessment at a high-risk cancer clinic.
abstract: The aims of this study were to (1) assess the level of depression among women seeking cancer genetic counseling and risk assessment and to (2) identify and describe the demographic, health history, and health behavior correlates of clinically significant depression. Participants were 280 women presenting for an intake appointment at a university cancer risk clinic. During intake, participants completed questionnaires assessing demographics, health history, health practices, and depression. Twenty-eight percent of the sample met criteria for at least mild depression. Descriptive statistics indicated that depressed women were more likely to be African American, to have more children, less likely to receive a mammogram, and consumed fewer alcoholic drinks per week than nondepressed women. Given the known associations between depression, health behaviors such as cancer screening, and potential responses to the genetic testing process, assessment of mood disturbance remains an important consideration for genetic counselors.
authors.affiliation: Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA. Molly.Kodl@va.gov
authors.forename: Molly Middlecamp
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kodl
authors.forename: Judith W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alicia K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Shelly A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Olufunmilayo I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Olopade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002641:Chicago; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American