Social sharing of genetic information in the family: a study on hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.
The present study assessed how preventive medical information about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is spread within the family before actual genetic test results. Forty-two women (19 had a breast or ovarian tumor and 23 did not) were asked to fill out a questionnaire about: (1) the spread within the family of the medical information received during the consultation; and (2) the reasons for sharing this information. Results indicate that all of the women socially shared medical information with an immediate family member for preventive purposes, and generally not for seeking emotional or informative social support.
Christophe
Véronique
V
University Lille Nord de France, F-59653 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. veronique.christophe@univ-lille3.fr
Vennin
Philippe
P
Corbeil
Marjolaine
M
Adenis
Claude
C
Reich
Michel
M
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure