title: Family communication following BRCA1/2 genetic testing: a close look at the process.
abstract: This study examines the process of communicating BRCA1/2 genetic test results to family members, and the factors influencing disclosure. Twenty-nine semi-structured telephone interviews with BRCA1/2 tested individuals, 4 to 9 years post-notification, were conducted. Our results suggest that individual, familial, relational and socio-medical factors influence the decision to disclose/not disclose genetic test results to family members. These factors are at play in all three communication phases: the Decision-making phase, in which the individual ponders various factors before deciding to disclose test results to family members; the Disclosure phase, in which communication per se takes place; and the Reaction phase, which shapes the participant's subsequent disclosure/non-disclosure decisions. We propose a guiding framework to assist in identifying and evaluating significant factors that might shape the course and outcome of the transmission of genetic information to family members.
authors.affiliation: Programmes de bioéthique/Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Darquise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lafrenière
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Godard
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simard
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorval
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged