title: Experiences and decisions that motivate women at increased risk of breast cancer to participate in an experimental screening program.
abstract: Although the discovery of mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with high breast cancer risk has given rise to screening and surveillance initiatives, there is little documentation on why high-risk women choose to enter screening programs. The objective of this qualitative study was to develop a detailed understanding of the experiences and decisions that motivate women with increased risk of hereditary breast cancer to participate in the multicentered Quebec experimental breast screening program. Our study involved 21 participants who were either BRCA carriers or at risk and untested. These women were interviewed while participating in the screening program. Our study demonstrates that intensive screening programs may provide valuable reassurance for women with increased familial risk of hereditary breast cancer, who count on early detection and rapid response from professionals if and when a problem arises. Health professionals must take these and others concerns into account to ensure their interventions are most consistent with women's needs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. proulxmichelle@videotron.ca
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proulx
authors.forename: Marie-Dominique
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loignon
authors.forename: Marie-Hélène
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mayrand
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maugard
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellavance
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Provencher
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011792:Quebec