title: Why me? Why not me?
abstract: : The decision to undergo BRCA testing is very complex and emotionally laden. This decision can be further complicated by the loss of a mother at an early age. The following personal account by a genetic counselor discusses the testing process and the struggle to accept the results and reframe one's self-identity. The sensitive nature of this testing and the implications for other family members is explored.
authors.affiliation: Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 19038-3295, USA. Valverde@arcadia.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Valverde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D006167:Guilt; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012649:Self Concept; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology