Putting it all behind: long-term psychological impact of an inconclusive DNA test result for breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
An inconclusive DNA-result for breast cancer may leave women with uncertainty that cannot be relieved. We assessed the influence of beliefs women held about their inconclusive DNA-result on psychological well-being and whether women had been able to put the period of DNA testing behind them.


METHODS
In total, 215 women completed a baseline and a follow-up questionnaire 2.5 till 7 years after DNA test disclosure. Within the group of 147 women who received an inconclusive result (either a personal result or the result of an affected family member) multiple regression analyses were applied to investigate the relevance of women's personal beliefs.


RESULTS
Personal beliefs and ambivalence about an inconclusive DNA-result were associated with cancer-related worry and distress (P < 0.05). Moreover, these beliefs seemed to be an especially strong predictor of whether women had been able to leave the period of DNA testing behind them, even after controlling for all measures of psychological distress (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological distress measures may provide an important but incomplete picture of how women make sense of an inconclusive DNA-result. These findings underscore the importance of discussing counselees' beliefs and expectations openly to enhance well-being and adaptation on the long term.
van Dijk
Sandra
S
Department of Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. dijk@lumc
Otten
Wilma
W
Tollenaar
Rob A E M
RA
van Asperen
Christi J
CJ
Tibben
Aad
A
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty