Experiences of Genetic Counseling forBRCA1/2Among Recently Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

For newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, BRCA1/2 genetic counseling (GC) and/or testing has the greatest potential to affect treatment choices if it occurs prior to definitive surgery. This qualitative study sought to examine recently diagnosed breast cancer patients' experiences with pretest GC (n = 9). Study results show the primary reason most women attended GC was due to a family history of cancer. Most women expressed high levels of satisfaction with timing of GC regardless of whether they were referred prior to or after definitive surgical treatment. In this study, newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, particularly those who have already completed definitive surgery, may not be fully informed about the purpose and implications of BRCA1/2 GC and/or testing for treatment decisions had they been referred prior to definitive surgery for their breast cancer diagnosis. Thus, many women felt the information provided during GC had little utility with respect to their current breast cancer diagnosis.