Longitudinal cancer risk management trajectories of BRCA1/2 mutation-positive reproductive-age women.
Young women with BRCA1/2 mutations face difficult health-care decisions regarding family formation, fertility, breastfeeding, and whether/when to undergo cancer risk-reducing surgery. This longitudinal qualitative study investigated these life choices during the reproductive years. We conducted two semistructured interviews over three years with 12 reproductive-age BRCA1/2-positive women. Researchers coded transcripts to examine the evolution of risk perceptions, risk management, and family planning decisions. To cope with the conflict between cancer risk reduction versus plans for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and child rearing, participants deliberately prioritized either risk reducing surgery or family formation goals. Implications for mutation carriers and health-care providers are outlined.
a Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Clinical Genetics Branch , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA.|b Department of Family Science , University of Maryland at College Park , College Park , MD , USA.
Jennifer Louise
JL
Young
c School of Social Policy and Practice , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
Allison
A
Werner-Lin
d School of Arts and Sciences , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
Rebecca
R
Mueller
a Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Clinical Genetics Branch , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA.
Lindsey
L
Hoskins
b Department of Family Science , University of Maryland at College Park , College Park , MD , USA.
Norman
N
Epstein
a Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Clinical Genetics Branch , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA.
Mark H
MH
Greene
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D003657:Decision Making; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009154:Mutation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D036301:Qualitative Research; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
BRCA; breast; family; ovary; qualitative; women